[Unilateral buccinator myomucosal island flap with double opposing Z-plasty for wider palatal cleft repair].
OBJECTIVE
To explore a method to repair larger cleft palate and lengthen soft palate without oral palate raw surface and scar formation, reduce the effect on maxilla and dental arch development.


METHODS
A modified double opposing Z-plasty was used to lengthen soft palate and the nasal palate was closed by using large turn-over mucoperiosteal flaps on the oral surface of the junction of the hard palate and soft palate, oral raw surface on the palate was closed by a buccal myomucosal island flap.


RESULTS
Thirty-six palates have been repaired by this procedure, all of which had satisfactory results without flap necrosis, infection, difficulties in opening mouth and facial nerve injury except two post-operative fistulas. Eight patients were followed up and all display complete velopharyngeal closure.


CONCLUSIONS
Using unilateral buccinator myomucosal island flap with double opposing Z-plasty to repair wider palatal cleft can get a satisfactory soft palate lengthening. At the same time it can avoid bone surface exposing and scar formation; it is a safe and reliable procedure.
Shi
Ze-hong
ZH
Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100041, China.
Li
Sen-kai
SK
Li
Yang-qun
YQ
Yin
Ning-bei
NB
Xiong
Bin
B
Zhao
Zhen-min
ZM
D000293:Adolescent; D002610:Cheek / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D055815:Young Adult