Clinical Case: Anterior base tongue flap for closure of palatal fistula

Abstract

Palatal fistulas are one of the most common sequelae of cleft palate surgeries. Due to its great vascularity, the tongue flap has become one of the most versatile options for the closure of palatal fistulas that include extensive defects or in those cases of sequelae of surgeries done previously and that have failed. Tongue flaps can be created from the ventral, dorsal or lateral face of the same, several studies show their success in either anterior or posterior base used in the closure of palatal fistula defects. The objective of this case report is to present the experience of a clinical case about the correction of a wide palatal fistula (greater than 5 mm) by means of the elaboration of a lingual flap of previous base, whose use is reported in the literature as the of choice in these cases (defects of great dimension) presenting a high percentage of success.