Clinical application and histological observation of pedicled buccal fat pad grafting.
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.
Fan
Lijie
L
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China. ddmm55@163.com
Chen
Guanfu
G
Zhao
Shifang
S
Hu
Ji'an
J
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