Palatal relaxing incisions versus nasopharyngeal relaxing incisions in Palatoplasty

Background Bone denudation after conventional relaxing incisions could be a critical factor in inhibiting maxillofacial growth. To address this, alternative relaxing incisions were designed. Thus, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of palatal relaxing incisions versus nasopharyngeal relaxing incisions in enhancing postoperative outcomes. Materials and methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving a total of 120 patients divided into three groups: 40 patients have received modified Furlow palatoplasty with nasopharyngeal relaxing incisions (M.F + N.P.I palatoplasty), and 40 patients who received modified Furlow palatoplasty with palatal relaxing incisions (M.F + P.R.I palatoplasty). The other 40 patients received original Furlow palatoplasty without relaxing incisions (F palatoplasty). Data collected included gender, cleft type, cleft width, age at repair, velopharyngeal function, presence of palatal fistula, and follow-up. The chi-square test compared frequencies of sex, cleft type, postoperative fistula, and velopharyngeal outcomes across groups. The Mann–Whitney and independent t-tests compared mean values, with statistical significance set at p