The Sanctity of Putting Packs after Palate Retropositioning

The validity of the concept of packing lateral raw areas following retropositioning surgery, for cleft palate, is questioned. Authors believe that it is a serious misconception to presume that packing can help in haemostasis, easing suture line tension and that it prevents food particles from going under the mucoperiosteal flaps. A case has been made for leaving these raw areas open as it leads to rapid epithelialization, shorter hospitalization and it eliminates foul mouth odour post-opertively. Our experience on 42 consequetive patients makes us condemn this concept.