European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: Purpose of our research was to conduct a demographic analysis of palatal fistula in patients arriving in a tertiary care centre. Methodology: Retrospectively all the data was taken before repair of palatal fistula from the year January 2000 to June 2020 in JMMCH & RI, Thrissur were enrolled in the study. Subsequent variables: sex, cleft side, presence of Simonart’s band, initial cleft width, intraoperative problems, and postoperative problems were measured. A chi-square test was used as statistical measure to analyse the variables. Results: In age group 0-6 months; the fistula was mostly present in anterior region of hard palatal region (54%), whereas size of the fistula was mostly <0.4mm in 63% cases which was statistically significant (p=0.04). The results were statistically significant in case of patients belonging to 13-24 months (p=0.012) as well as in case of >24 months of age (p=0.045). Conclusion: We recommend a future prospective controlled study to study the factors that lower the incidence of fistula in bigger sample size population.