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The use of buccal fat pad in oral reconstruction - a review
W L Adeyemo1, A L Ladeinde, M O Ogunlewe
1Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department , School of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P.M.B.12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Aim:
The aim of this article is to review the applications of the buccal fat pad (BFP) in oral reconstruction, 25 years after its first use as a pedicled flap.
Materials And Methods:
A computerized literature search was conducted for articles published from 1977-2002. Mesh phrases used in the search were: buccal fat pad, buccal fat pad and oral reconstruction.
Results:
A total of 43 articles were selected for the review based on the criteria for the study. Thirty of these articles were clinical articles, 8 were anatomic studies, 2 were review articles, 1 was an experimental study and 2 discussion articles. Only 9 clinical articles were published prior to 1990, and between 1990 and 2002, a total of 21 clinical articles were published. Various application of BFP in oral reconstruction include closure of surgical defects following tumor excision, repair of surgical defects following excision of leukoplakia and submucous fibrosis, closure of primary and secondary palatal clefts, coverage of maxillary and mandibular bone grafts and lining of sinus surface of maxillary sinus bone graft in sinus lift procedure for maxillary augmentation.
Conclusions:
The easy mobilisation of the BFP and its excellent blood supply and minimal donor site morbidity makes it an ideal flap. The main advantages of BFP are ease of harvesting, simplicity, versatility, low rate of complications as well as quick surgical technique. The operation can be performed in one incision, affecting neither appearance nor function of the area.