Abstract: Objective To explore a method of functional palatoplasty for reducing the incidence of palatal fistula without interfering the maxillary growth. Methods From 2013, a total of 38 patients with cleft palate received levator veli palatini retropositioning combined with buccal fat pad flap. Results All patients were healed by first intention, no palatal fistula was observed. All the patients were followed up for 1-2 years, significant improvement in speech intelligibility was achieved. Conclusion Levator veli palatini retropositioning combined with buccal fat pad flap is a useful procedure for cleft palate repair with low incidence of palatal fistula and satisfying rate of velopharyngeal competence. Furthermore, this technique affects growth of maxillary very slightly and is worthy of further application.

Key words: Complete cleft palate, Levator veli palatini retropositioning, Buccal fat pad flap, Velopharyngeal competence