Incidence of cleft palate fistula after palatoplasty with musculus levator veli palatini retropositioning according to Sommerlad

Objective:To investigate the incidence of palatal fistula and the correlative factors influencing palatal fistula after palatoplasty according to Sommerlad.Methods:A retrospective review of 176 consecutive cleft-palate cases was performed to determine the incidence of postoperative fistula,and assessed possible contributing factors such as sex,age,cleft type,surgical management and operation skill.Results:Fistulas occurred in 12 of 176 patients(6.8%).66.7% fistulas were located at the junction of the hard and soft palate,25% fistulas in the hard palate and 8.3% in the soft palate.There was no evidence to suggest that sex,age and extent of malformation were associated with the formation of fistulas.Cleft palate patients with surgical treatment by senior surgeons had a lower incidence of fistula formation(2.4%) than patients whose operation were performed by residents.The incidence of cleft palate fistulas in hard and soft cleft palate(20.6%),and bilateral completely cleft palate(9.6%) were significant higher than that in soft cleft palate and unilateral cleft palate(2.7%)(P0.05).Conclusion:Cleft palate repair with musculus levator veli palatini retropositioning carries a acceptal risk of fistula formation.Fistula occurrence is related most to cleft type and the experience level of the surgeon.