Outcomes of Primary Furlow Double-Opposing Z-plasty for the Treatment of Symptomatic Submucous Cleft Palate

BACKGROUND: Submucous cleft palate (SMCP) requires surgical repair if symptomatic. The Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty is the preferred method in Helsinki cleft center. AIMS: To assess the efficacy and complications of Furlow Z-plasty in the treatment of symptomatic SMCP. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed documentation of 40 consecutive patients with symptomatic SMCP who underwent primary Furlow Z-plasty by 2 high-volume cleft surgeons at a single center between 2008 and 2017. Patients underwent perceptual and instrumental evaluation of velopharyngeal function (VPF) by speech pathologists preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The median age at Furlow Z-plasty was 4.8 years (SD 2.6, range 3.1–13.6). The overall success rate, including postoperative competent or borderline competent VPF, was 83%, and 10% required secondary surgery for residual velopharyngeal insufficiency. The success rate was 85% in nonsyndromic, and 67% in syndromic patients with no significant difference (P=0.279). Complications arose in only 2 (5%) patients. No children were found to have obstructive sleep apnea postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Furlow primary Z-plasty is a safe and effective operation for symptomatic SMCP with a success rate of 83% with only 5% rate of complications.