Furlow Palatoplasty (Double-Reversing Z-Plasty)

This procedure involves a plastic surgical technique, which was traditional used for cleft palates, to lengthen and thicken the soft palate and realign abnormal placement of the palatal muscles in order to allow the palate touch the back of throat naturally. This operation is performed for children who have hypernasality after surgeries on the back of throat and more commonly in patients with a submucous or “hidden” cleft palate and associated velopharyngeal insufficiency. This increased thickness and length of the palate makes it easier for the palate to contact the back of the throat during speech to prevent air leakage from the nose during speech. This procedure also may have a beneficial effect on the ear infections that are frequent in children submucous cleft palate.