Efficacy of the Anterior Based Tongue Flap in Managing Large Alveolar Clefts

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer, oral and maxillofacial department, faculty of dentistry, Sinai university-kantara

2 Lecturer at pediatric dentistry and public health, faculty of dentistry, Sinai University, Kantara - Egypt

Abstract

Large alveolus clefts are challenging due to soft tissue deficiency,
especially after trans-palatal distractions. Healthy, abundant soft tissue is
mandatory to close oronasal communication and, consequently, for the success of
bone graft. The tongue flap provides enough tissue with high vascularity and
proximity to the defect. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using a tongue
flap for closure of large alveolus clefts (more than 10 mm) in children aged 10–12
years.
Patients and Method: The study included 28 patients with a unilateral large
alveolus cleft. An anterior-based tongue flap was used to cover the defect. Three
weeks after the first surgery, a second surgery to separate the flap was performed.
Tissue acceptance, flap stability, soft tissue closure of the cleft, tongue and speech
problems, and other complications were recorded.
Results: Tissue acceptance, flap stability, and soft tissue closure were accepted
without donorsite morbidity, with few patients complaining of difficulty in feeding
and speech between the two surgeries.
Conclusion: The anterior-based tongue flap is an effective option for addressing
soft tissue deficiency in cases of large alveolar clefts with minimal or no observed
donor site morbidity.

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