Incidence of cleft palate fistula after Furlow's double-opposing Z-palatoplasty

Objective To investigate the incidence of palatal fistula and the correlative factors influencing palatal fistula after Furlow's double-opposing Z-palatoplasty.Methods A retrospective review of 53 consecutive cleft palate cases was performed to determine the incidence of post operative fistula,and assessed possible contributing factors such as sex,age,cleft type.Results Fistulas occurred in 10 of 53 patients(18.86%),64% fistulas were located at the anterior hard palate.18% fistulas at the hard palate and the junction of the hard and soft palate,and 0% in the soft palate(P0.05).There was no evidence to suggest that sex,age were associated with the formation of fistulas.The incidence of cleft palate fistulas in bilateral complete cleft palate(BCCLP,36.7%) and unilateral complete cleft palate(UCCLP,24%) were higher than that in hard and soft cleft palate(HSCP,0%) and soft cleft palate(SCP,0%).However there was no difference(P 0.05).The incidence in complete cleft palate was higher than that in incomplete(P 0.05).Conclusion Fistula occurrence is related most to cleft type.Furlow's double-opposing Z-palatoplasty can reduce the incidence of fistulas at the soft palate and the junction of the hard and soft palate.However,It can increase the incidence at the anterior hard palate comparatively.