title: Furlow's Palatoplasty for Cleft Palate Repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The major drawbacks of standard procedures of palatoplasty have been inadequate palatal lengthening, velopharyngeal incompetence, impaired maxillary growth with mid-face retrusion and high fistula rates. The Furlow's double opposing Z-plasty is accepted as one of the better procedures for treating cleft palates.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper compared Furlow's procedure to Veau Kilner Wardill's procedure performed on 63 patients from July 2000 till February 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results were compared in terms of the fistula rates, palatal lengthening, nasal regurgitation, velopharyngeal incompetence, improvement in speech, hearing and maxillary growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Furlow's technique offered better results irrespective of the age, type and extent of the cleft in the palate.
authors.affiliation: Ex-Classified Specialist Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, Dept of Plastic Surgery, Command Hospital (EC), Kolkata 700 027.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ravishanker
keywords: Furlow's palatoplasty; Palatal lengthening; fistula rates; maxillary growth; velopharyngeal incompetence