Repair of large, anterior palatal fistulas using thin tongue flaps: Long-term follow-up of 10 patients

Abstract

Anteriorly based, thin tongue flaps were used in 10 patients to close large, anterior palatal fistulas, All 10 flaps (100%) survived, and complete closure was obtained in all patients, with the exception of a recurrent fistula that occurred in 1 patient during maxillary expansion (10%), Another patient (10%) demonstrated postoperative bleeding that required formal hemostasis under general anesthesia. No other complications were encountered, The results of this series indicate that the tongue flap is a safe technique for closure of large, anterior palatal fistulas, This thin, long flap is also reliable for orthodontic maxillary expansion.