JUMMEC, 2002;7:107-113.

Abstract

Cleft palate has been recorded for many cenhuies. Until the 16th century attempts at closure were by covering or filling the clefts using artificial materials. By the 18th century sutures were used to close the palate after cauterization. By the 19th century lateral relaxing incisions were used to close the cleft at mid line. In 1861 Von Langenbeck (9,22) introduced his technique for dosing the palate. Veau(9) recommended his technique to elongate the palate and to narrow the velopharyngeal space. Many specialties are involved in rectifying this problem. They comprise maxillofacial, orthodontic. ENT surgeons, as well as speech therapists.(9) However, none of these methods succeeded to provide a satisfactory solution for the problem of complete deft palate. In this study, 618 cases of cleft palate of varying degrees were operated during the period from January 1992 to July 2001. From these 618 cases, 48 cases (7.07%) had complete cleft lip and palate. Only 18 cases (37.5%) had bilateral complete cleft lip and palate, and 30 cases (62.5%), had unilateral complete deft lip and palate. The results of the corrective surgical procedures were very promising. In this series of 618 cases only six cases developed residual fistula. The used technique was simple and similar to the Von Langenbeck technique but differs in some steps. The timing of the surgical intervention was a very important factor which influenced the outcome of the closure. KEYWORDS; New technique and tinling for treating complete cleft palate.