Submucous cleft palates presenting with a perforation.

OBJECTIVE

The development of a perforation in a submucous cleft palate (SMCP) is a rare occurrence, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We describe and illustrate four cases of SMCPs with a perforation in the palate.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Recognition of the symptoms and signs of an SMCP should enable early diagnosis and treatment of this condition in symptomatic patients. However, in patients in whom the diagnosis has been missed or in those who have been asymptomatic, the development of a perforation may be the presenting feature of an SMCP. A history of possible trauma to the palate was found in two cases. Relatively minor trauma may cause perforation of the thin translucent central mucosa in an SMCP. In neonates, perforations surrounded by very thin mucosa may increase in size. The perforation can be closed at the same time as the SMCP repair and does not significantly alter the surgical treatment of an SMCP.