VSR 421: Regional Veterinary Surgery (2+1)

CLOSURE OF HARD PALATE DEFECTS

• Sliding bipedicle flap technique
  • In this, mucoperiosteal incisions are made on either side of the cleft and the mucoperiosteum is elevated from the hard palate with the major palatine artery.
  • The nasal mucosa and mucoperiosteum are then apposed in two layers over the defect in the hard palate.
• Overlapping flap technique
  • Mucoperiosteal flap is made on one side of the cleft, and rotated medially to cover the hard palate defect.
  • The edge of this flap is inserted between the hard palate and the mucoperiosteum on the opposite side of the defect.
  • The flap is secured in position with horizontal mattress sutures. Lateral relief incisions are made to reduce tension on the repair.