Novel use of osmotic tissue expanders to treat difficult anterior palatal fistulas

Objective: Novel use of osmotic tissue expanders to recruit local palatal mucoperiosteum for the treatment of difficult anterior palatal fistulas. Design: This is a retrospective review of our experience with osmotic tissue expanders for closure of secondary palatal fistulas. Setting: The study occurred at Oregon Health and Science University, a tertiary care level academic hospital. Patients, Participants: All patients were treated for combined cleft lip and palate by the Oregon Health and Science University Craniofacial Disorders multidisciplinary team. They were determined to be appropriate candidates due to the anterior location of the fistula and symptomatic nature. Patients complained of significant nasal regurgitation of liquid and solids. Interventions: All patients underwent a two-stage procedure under general anesthesia. The first stage was placement of the expanders. The second stage was 1 week later, with removal of the expanders, palatal revision, and closure of the oronasal fistula. Main Out...