“Buccal Fat Pad Flaps in Primary Cleft Palatoplasty Improve Hypernasality Without Increasing Risk for Sleep Apnea”

Key Points

• To assess the impact of buccal fat pad flaps on speech outcomes and sleep apnea risk in primary cleft palatoplasty.
• Evaluated the use of buccal fat pad flaps during primary cleft repair.
• Monitored speech outcomes, particularly hypernasality.
• Assessed the risk for obstructive sleep apnea post-surgery.
• No significant increase in obstructive sleep apnea risk was observed.
• Buccal fat pad flaps notably improved hypernasality in speech.