Bone Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bone Cancer, including details on symptoms, types, treatment.

Use of the buccal fat pad in the reconstruction and prosthetic rehabilitation of oncological maxillary defects.

Amin MA, Bailey BM, Swinson B, Witherow H

S.W. London Regional Maxillofacial Service, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London SW170QT, UK. michael@amin75.fsnet.co.uk

We evaluated the effectiveness of the buccal fat pad as a pedicled flap for intraoral reconstruction after partial maxillectomy for neoplastic disease in 24 patients, and subsequently, in providing support for a denture. In all patients the buccal fat pad was covered with a split-skin graft and an acrylic plate. There was complete healing of the buccal fat pad flap within 6 weeks in 18 patients with no major complications, and minimal effects on speech and eating. In six cases there was partial dehiscence of the flap, which healed spontaneously in one patient and was repaired with local flaps in two others. There were no cases of complete breakdown of the flap. Eight patients so far have been rehabilitated with small dentures. In conclusion, the buccal fat pad flap is a simple, quick, and reliable method of reconstruction of small to medium-sized posterior maxillary alveolar defects.

Published 7 March 2005 in Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 43(2): 148-54.
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