title: Use of cartilage grafts for closure of cleft palate fistulae.
abstract: We describe the results of using a free cartilage graft in the closure of cleft palate fistulae in 14 patients with a mean follow-up of 8.6 months. Complete closure of the fistula was achieved in 11 patients (79%), with partial closure in the remaining three patients. This technique is simple, causes relatively little discomfort, involves little tissue dissection and can be performed as a day-case procedure. The success rate is comparable with or better than other methods, and we consider it the treatment of choice for small cleft palate fistulae.
authors.affiliation: Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, West Sussex, UK.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Jeffery
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Boorman
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Dive
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016155:Oral Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013060:Speech