title: [The usage of the whole palate flap in maxillofacial surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the clinical effects, the merits and shortcomings of the hard palate flap in repairing postoperative defects of oral soft tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  The whole-palate flap pedicled with the unilateral greater palatine artery was used to repair 25 cases of oral soft tissue defects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 25 cases, 22 flaps survived completely and 2 flaps survived partially. The postoperative appearance and functions were satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with other flaps, the hard palate flap is easier to harvest and use. It has reliable blood supply and does not harm the patients' appearance and function. It is one of the most desirable methods for repairing the oral soft tissue defect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
authors.forename: Ling-da
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Hao-wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Yu-chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010159:Palate / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps