Nasoseptal Flap Reconstruction of Secondary Palatal Defects

Objective 1) Describe a novel operative technique using a posteriorly pedicled nasoseptal flap (NSF) for reconstruction of secondary palatal defects. 2) Report initial outcomes of patients with secondary palatal defects who underwent NSF palatal reconstruction. Method Case series of 5 patients who underwent NSF for repair of secondary palatal defects at a tertiary referral center from October 2008 to October 2010. A NSF pedicled on the posterior nasoseptal artery was used for coverage of palatal defects. Clinical outcomes and images will be presented. Results Two patients had secondary palatal defects from prior tumor resection, 1 patient had a traumatic injury, 1 patient had granulomatous disease, and 1 patient had a palatal defect after Le Fort I advancement. Area of defects ranged from 0.5 to 7cm 2 . Initial outcomes reveal that all defects less than 1cm in width (n = 3) closed successfully and defects larger than 2cm in width (n = 2) did not completely close. There were no intraoperative complications. All patients had complete intranasal healing by 6 weeks postoperatively. There were no postoperative bleeding, infectious, or wound complications, as well as no cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Conclusion Secondary palatal defects are challenging and reconstruction with vascularized tissue is desirable. A posteriorly pedicled nasoseptal flap offers a novel option to repair palatal defects. The success rate for small defects is promising with minimal donor site morbidity.