C.5. Briefly describe the surgical techniques used to repair cleft defects.
Answer:
The Furlow procedure is the most common technique for cleft palate closure. It involves opposing Z-plasties of the mucosa and the musculature of the soft palate. The goal is to separate the nonfunctioning attachments from the posterior border of the hard palate and to displace the mucosa and the musculature posteriorly. Other basic surgical techniques include the von Langenbeck technique, the Schweckendiek technique, the two-flap technique, and the three-flap/V-Y technique. Although most of the repairs do not involve repairing the muscular sling, doing so allows better palatal and eustachian tube function.
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