ABSTRACT
Objective: To describe the usefulness of islanded greater palatine artery flap for repair of anterior oronasal fistula
Study design: Descriptive case series
Place and Duration of study: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, from January2013 to January 2015
Methodology: Five patients were selected for the study who had history of cleft palate repair. Selection was based on location and size of fistula and amount of residual palatal mucosa. Assessment was done for postoperative wound complications, postoperative speech and swallowing and donor site morbidity
Results: All the patients underwent islanded greater palatine artery flap. One patient was operated with bilateral islanded flaps. Postoperative diet started between 1[st] to 3[rd] day [mean 2 days]. Patients were discharged on 3[rd] -5[th] [mean 4[th] day] postoperative day without any postoperative donor site or recipient site complications. Donor site re-epithelialized within 4 weeks in all patients
Conclusion: The islanded greater palatine artery flap offers a reliable method of primary reconstruction of anterior oronasal defects