Abstract
Since 1987, we have used Furlow's double opposing Z-plasty for repairs on 29 children at our hospital (Table 1). We investigated the characteristics of the palatopharyngeal morphology and speech results with Furlow's method, using the control group with pushback operation (Table 2). Our results clarified the following points:
1. The speech results with Furlow's method were the same as those for the control group (Table 3∼6)
2. The length of the hard palate in soft palate clefts was longer in subjects than in the control group.
3. The length of the soft palate in soft palate clefts was significantly shorter in subjects than in th e control group.
4. The soft palate was generally thicker than in the control group.
In our experience this procedure is suitable for the repair of soft palate clefts, and we have selected the patients for adaptation of this method.
