Furlow's Palatoplasty for Cleft Palate Repair

BackgroundThe major drawbacks of standard procedures of palatoplasty have been inadequate palatal lengthening, velopharyngeal incompetence, impaired maxillary growth with mid-face retrusion and high fistula rates. The Furlow's double opposing Z-plasty is accepted as one of the better procedures for treating cleft palates.MethodsThis paper compared Furlow's procedure to Veau Kilner Wardill's procedure performed on 63 patients from July 2000 till February 2005.ResultsThe results were compared in terms of the fistula rates, palatal lengthening, nasal regurgitation, velopharyngeal incompetence, improvement in speech, hearing and maxillary growth.ConclusionsThe Furlow's technique offered better results irrespective of the age, type and extent of the cleft in the palate.