Nasal lining mobilization for primary and secondary palatoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Repair of wide primary cleft palates and secondary cases are challenging. Much literature is dedicated to technique modifications and useful pearls for approaching these patients. Nasal lining is not often highlighted or addressed as a solution to these challenging cleft palate surgeries. The goal of this article was to describe and demonstrate through case examples the simple dissection and significant mobilization of nasal lining as a tool for cleft palate repair. METHODS: Retrospective case examples were selected to highlight the technique. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The surgical technique is standardly used by the senior author and has not been previously published. This technique for tension-free nasal lining closure is detailed, and case examples are provided. This technique for nasal lining mobilization is easily reproducible and is versatile. It can be used as an adjunct to any palatoplasty technique and is particularly useful in the treatment of wide clefts and revision cases.