A Cadaveric Study of the Buccal Fat Pad: Implications for Closure of Palatal Fistulae and Donor-Site Morbidity.
Plast Reconstr Surg
; 146(6): 1331-1339, 2020 12.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33234964
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
For the cleft surgeon, palatal fistulae after cleft palate repair remain a difficult problem, with a paucity of local tissue options to aid closure. Small clinical series have described the use of the buccal fat pad flap to repair palatal fistulae; however, there is no literature detailing the anatomical coverage of the flap. This study delineates the anatomy of the buccal fat pad flap to guide surgeons in patient selection and examines the residual buccal fat after flap harvest to provide new information with regard to possible effects on the donor site.METHODS:
Buccal fat pad flaps were raised in 30 hemicadavers. The reach of the flap across the midline, anteriorly and posteriorly, was recorded. In 18 hemicadavers, the entire buccal fat pad was then exposed to determine the effects of flap harvest on movement and volume of the residual fat.RESULTS:
All buccal fat pad flaps provided coverage from the soft palate to the posterior third of the hard palate and all across the midline. Approximately three-fourths of flaps would cover the mid hard palate. The flap constitutes 36 percent of the total buccal fat pad on average, and a series of retaining ligaments were identified that may prevent overresection.CONCLUSIONS:
The buccal fat pad flap is a useful tool for coverage of fistulae in the soft palate to the posterior third of the hard palate. In most cases, it will also reach the middle third; however, it is not suitable for more anterior defects. On average, two-thirds of the buccal fat pad remains within the cheek after flap harvest, which may protect against unwanted alteration in aesthetics.
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Mejilla
/
Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Orales
/
Recolección de Tejidos y Órganos
/
Sitio Donante de Trasplante
/
Fístula
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Plast Reconstr Surg
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article