Use of tibial periosteum graft in the repair of failed cleft palate

Fifteen patients with oronasal fistula following unsuccessful repair of cleft palate were chosen. They were operated upon using tibial periosteum graft to reinforce the repair of the failed cleft palate. Fourteen cases had satisfactory closure of the defect, while only one patient had a slit shaped defect at the junction of the hard and soft palate. There was a satisfactory bone production at the site of repair and no complications at the donor site were observed. Also, there was a better velopharyngeal competence and improvement in hypernasality