Resorbable collagen membrane in surgical repair of fistula following palatoplasty in nonsyndromic cleft palate

Treatment of palato-nasal fistula following primary palatoplasty in patients with nonsyndromic cleft palate is often complicated by recurrence. The authors have tested the feasibility of a surgical technique adding a resorbable collagen membrane at the bony edge of the fistula and report the outcome in the first 14 patients in an open, non-comparative, preliminary investigation. The procedure was well tolerated by all patients, with no relapses during follow up ranging from 4 to 12 months.