Cleft Palate Fistula Closure Utilizing Acellular Dermal Matrix

• Published in: Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open Vol. 6; no. 3; p. e1682
• Main Authors: Emodi, Omri, Ginini, Jiriys George, van Aalst, John A, Shilo, Dekel, Naddaf, Raja, Aizenbud, Dror, Rachmiel, Adi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Copyright The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All rights reserved 01.03.2018; Wolters Kluwer Health; Wolters Kluwer
• Subjects: Ideas and Innovations
• ISSN: 2169-7574; 2169-7574
• DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001682

Fistulas represent failure of cleft palate repair. Secondary and tertiary fistula repair is challenging, with high recurrence rates. In the present retrospective study, we review the efficacy of using acellular dermal matrix as an interposition layer for cleft palate fistula closure in 20 consecutive patients between 2013 and 2016. Complete fistula closure was obtained in 16 patients; 1 patient had asymptomatic recurrent fistula; 2 patients had partial closure with reduction of fistula size and minimal nasal regurgitation; 1 patient developed a recurrent fistula without changes in symptoms (success rate of 85%). We conclude that utilizing acellular dermal matrix for cleft palate fistula repair is safe and simple with a high success rate.