Palatal reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
The palate is a critical structure, playing pivotal roles in speech, swallowing, and mastication. Reconstruction of the palate is among the most difficult challenges faced by head and neck reconstructive surgeons. The primary aims of this review are to catalog the evolution of the classification systems for palatal defects, discuss decision making surrounding the various options for hard palate reconstruction, and address the special challenges and techniques involved in soft palate reconstruction.


RESULTS
The Okay Classification System has become the standard by which most hard palatal defects are assessed. Free tissue transfer seems to be becoming an increasingly important therapeutic modality for many hard and soft palate defects.


CONCLUSIONS
Success in the management of palatal defects depends on accurate appreciation of the size and functional extent of each defect, careful patient selection, and specific attention to each patient's goals.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Corner of Elm and Carlton, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Vishal
V
Gupta
David M
DM
Cohan
Hassan
H
Arshad
Moni A
MA
Kuriakose
Wesley L
WL
Hicks
D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004954:Esthetics; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D009065:Mouth Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000601:surgery*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting