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Application of the buccal fat pad in oral reconstruction
1Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical School, University of Vienna, Austria. Arnulf.Baumann@akh-wien.ac.at
Purpose:
This report evaluates the use of the buccal fat pad in reconstruction of defects of the hard and soft palate.
Patients And Methods:
Twenty-nine patients with different indications (oroantral fistula, tumor of the hard and soft palate, posterior fistula in cleft patients, covering of bone transplants in augmentation procedure) were treated with a pedicled buccal fat pad without lining. The maximum reconstructed defect was 5.5 x 4 cm.
Results:
All inserted fat grafts healed well without any aesthetic disturbances. The surface of the fat converted to normal mucosa.
Conclusions:
Use of the buccal fat pad is a safe and easy method to reconstruct defects in the posterior maxilla and soft palate. Good vascularization, ease of access, and minimal donor site morbidity make it a reliable soft tissue graft.