Use of the buccal fat pad in maxillary and sinus grafting of the severely atrophic maxilla preparatory to implant reconstruction of the partially or completely edentulous patient: technical note.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the use of the buccal fat pad (BFP) for correction of maxillary osseous defects, preliminary to dental implant reconstructions, and to present patients in whom this technique was used.


METHODS
The blood supply of the BFP was investigated with a special laser Doppler flowmetry fiberoptic probe in situ before herniation and after placement of the pedicled BFP over maxillary bone grafts.


RESULTS
The possibility of using the BFP pedicle flap to provide an immediate blood supply to a recipient site was confirmed, as it promotes rapid neo-vascularization of the grafted material over which it is placed. No complications were seen in the present patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The BFP has an additional protective function of providing for a multiple-layer wound closure over all types of maxillary bone grafts, thereby preventing graft exposure and enhancing success.


CONCLUSIONS
With its high blood flow, the BFP may offer protection and early blood supply to maxillary and sinus bone grafts.
Liversedge
Richard L
RL
Middlesex Hospital London, United Kingdom.
Wong
Kevan
K
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000473:pathology; D002610:Cheek; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D009957:Oroantral Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
D015921:Dental Implants; D014025:Titanium