Background: Researchers have reported a variety of surgical methods for cleft palate revision. Herein, we evaluated our experience and outcomes obtained after the addition of the buccinator myomucosal flap to a modified Furlow's technique for cleft palate repair.
Methods: The current study included 20 patients who underwent palatal surgery using modified Furlow's technique with buccinator myomucosal flap, and another 20 patients underwent the palatal surgery with Furlow Z-plasty only. Inclusion criteria were children in the age group of 8 months up to 8 years who complained of a cleft soft or hard palate, unilateral or bilateral, either primary repair or a recurrent case with a fistula.
Results: The risk of having a child with a cleft palate is influenced by the father's age. 65% of fathers in this study were more than 35 years old at the time of conception. The most common early postoperative complication was mild facial edema, which disappeared spontaneously after two days with the help of anti-oedematous medicaments. Recurrent fistula occurred only in 3 patients (15%) of Furlow Z-plasty without BUMF group.
Conclusion: Treating a cleft palate with a buccinator myomucosal flap and modified Furlow's methods may be an effective surgical technique with a good outcome.