The Use of Buccal Fat Pad (BFP) As a Pedicled Graft for Cleft Palate Repair.

Background: Cleft palate is a congenital anomaly leading to physical, social and psychological deficits. Early repair before child start speaking is ideal. Many patients especially with wide clefts may develop lateral fistula as a complication of surgery. Buccal Fat Pad is versatile tissue which can be used for closure of lateral fistulas at time of palatoplasty. Patients & methods: 3 cases of isolated cleft palate are presented that were operated for cleft palate repair. Results: All patients had uneventful recovery and satisfactory healing. Speech results are also favorable. Conclusion: Use of BFP is versatile and easy method with no donor site deformity and minimal complications.We recommend use of BFP for cleft palate repair.