Correction of recurrent cleft palate in cat by the mucoperiosteal flap technique – case report

Abstract

Cleft palate is an anomalous communication between the oral and nasal cavities, it can be classified as primary or secondary, in addition to being congenital or acquired and its correction requires surgical repair. The objective was to report the treatment of recurrent cleft palate in a cat, using the mucoperiosteal flap technique. Feline patient, male, neutered, without a defined breed standard, white coat, weighing 3 kg, aged approximately 1 year and 6 months, with a history of previous surgical intervention to correct a cleft palate without success, returning to present the previous symptoms surgery, such as bad breath, sneezing after ingesting food or water, difficulty in eating and weight loss. With no changes in complementary exams, he was referred for surgical treatment, the technique chosen was reconstructive surgery, using the mucoperiosteal flap technique, in addition to the insertion of an esophageal probe, through esophagostomy, to supply food and medication throughout the postoperative period. -operatively, to avoid dehiscence of stitches or contamination of the nasal cavity. After 14 days, there was satisfactory healing, and the patient showed a good response to antibiotic therapy used in the treatment of respiratory tract infection. The mucoperiosteal flap technique associated with feeding through an esophageal tube showed good results in the treatment of cleft palate, in addition to the use of an esophageal tube to avoid friction and contamination of surgical stitches, reducing the chances of stitch dehiscence.