RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: (a) Surgical repair of palatal fistulas are technically difficult due to excessive tissue fibrosis with high failure rate. (b) The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of closure of anterior palatal fistula using myomucosal superior lip flap. METHODS: 33 cases with anterior palatal fistulas after cleft palate repair were subjected to closure in two-layers, the first is the oral mucoperiosteum hinge flap to reconstruct the nasal side and the second is a myomucosal flap from the inner surface of the superior lip to reconstruct the oral side. Follow up was carried out for 12 months. RESULTS: The fistulas were completely closed in 30 cases (91%) and partially closed in 3 cases (9%) due to necrosis of the tip of the flap. CONCLUSIONS: Closure of anterior palatal fistula by the use of superior lip myomucosal flap is a useful method with high success rate and no morbidity.