title: Clinical application and histological observation of pedicled buccal fat pad grafting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce the applied anatomy of pedicled buccal fat pad (BFP) graft and a series of histological changes in the healing process of BFP as an uncovered pedicled graft.
  
  
  METHODS
  The healing processes of BFP are demonstrated via uncovered pedicled grafts on rabbits in histological examination. Uncovered buccal fat pads were used to repair soft tissue defects in rabbit oral cavities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The uncovered buccal fat pads showed complete epithelialization of their oral surfaces at 6 to 8 weeks after surgery and were slowly replaced by fibrous tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advantages of the pedicled buccal fat pad graft include an anatomic region that is consistent and easy to excise. The operation can be performed in one incision, affecting neither appearance nor function of the area. Use of the buccal fat pad provides a good reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the mouth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China. ddmm55@163.com
authors.forename: Lijie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Guanfu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shifang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Ji'an
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000818:Animals; D002610:Cheek; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014945:Wound Healing