Impact of a Palatal Fistula After Cleft Palate Repair on Velopharyngeal Closure.
Mackenzie M GeismanGary B SkolnickLynn M GramesSybill D NaidooAlison K Snyder-WarwickKamlesh B PatelPublished in: The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (2022)
A palatal fistula involving the soft palate is a significant predictor for development of velopharyngeal dysfunction after primary palatoplasty. Surgical intervention, at the time of fistula repair, to add vascularized tissue may be indicated to prophylactically decrease the risk of velopharyngeal dysfunction.