Background: Palatal fistula generally occurs after cleft palate repair. The main cause of this complication is tip necrosis of palatal flaps. Displacement of adjacent tissues leads to the closure of smaller palatal fistulas, but these localized tissues are not adequate for the cessation of larger fistulas. The main aim of the present research is to examine the advantages of tongue flaps in the closure of anterior palatal fistula. Methods and Materials: This is a prospective study carried out for one year in Patna Medical Colege & Hospital, Patna in Bihar, India. 50 patients were included in this study in which the anterior tongue flap was utilized for the treatment of a bigger anterior palatal fistula. Selection of the subjects was done on the base of the dimension of the fistula, damaged localized palatal tissues, or reappearance of the fistula. Results: In the current study 50 patients with palatal fistula were treated with tongue flap. The majority of patients were in the age group of 2-6 years. It was more prevalent in females. The biggest dimension of the treated fistula was 3×2 cm. No flap necrosis occurred in any patients. Conclusion: Tongue flap is an outstanding and adaptable alternative for the cassation of big fistulas with greater successful outcomes. Tongue flap is the first choice for the treatment of anterior palatal fistulae, the only disadvantage is the long procedure which makes patients uneasy.

Background: Palatal fistula generally occurs after cleft palate repair. The main cause of this complication is tip necrosis of palatal flaps. Displacement of adjacent tissues leads to the closure of smaller palatal fistulas, but these localized tissues are not adequate for the cessation of larger fistulas. The main aim of the present research is to examine the advantages of tongue flaps in the closure of anterior palatal fistula. Methods and Materials: This is a prospective study carried out for one year in Patna Medical Colege & Hospital, Patna in Bihar, India. 50 patients were included in this study in which the anterior tongue flap was utilized for the treatment of a bigger anterior palatal fistula. Selection of the subjects was done on the base of the dimension of the fistula, damaged localized palatal tissues, or reappearance of the fistula. Results: In the current study 50 patients with palatal fistula were treated with tongue flap. The majority of patients were in the age group of 2-6 years. It was more prevalent in females. The biggest dimension of the treated fistula was 3×2 cm. No flap necrosis occurred in any patients. Conclusion: Tongue flap is an outstanding and adaptable alternative for the cassation of big fistulas with greater successful outcomes. Tongue flap is the first choice for the treatment of anterior palatal fistulae, the only disadvantage is the long procedure which makes patients uneasy.