Interposition grafting of collagen-gelatin sponge impregnated with basic fibroblast growth factor in primary palatoplasty

INTRODUCTION: An oronasal fistula is a challenging post-operative complication of palatoplasty due to impaired velopharyngeal function or its high recurrence rate. Muscle repositioning, a key procedure in palatoplasty, causes dead space at the junction between the hard and soft palates. Consequently, thin oral and nasal mucosae are prone to break down and form fistulas. In this study, we used basic fibroblast growth factor-impregnated collagen gelatin sponge (bFGF-CGS) in primary palatoplasty to reduce fistula formation. METHODS: This retrospective study assessed the complications and efficacy of bFGF-CGS to reduce fistula formation. Patients who underwent primary palatoplasty with bFGF-CGS were included. The same number of patients who underwent primary palatoplasty without bFGF-CGS was included as a control group. The outcomes included post-operative oronasal fistula formation, delayed healing, bleeding, and infection. RESULTS: Both groups included 44 patients. Except for age at palatoplasty, there were no statistically significant demographic differences between the two groups; however, the rates of fistula formation in the study and control group were 2.3% and 13.6%, respectively. There were no infections among the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The grafting of bFGF-CGS in primary palatoplasty was safe and probably effective in reducing post-operative oronasal fistula formation.