title: The buccal fat pad in oral reconstruction.
abstract: We describe the indications, advantages, and complications of the buccal fat pad (BFP) flap and report our clinical experience with the flap for intraoral reconstruction after tumour removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1993 to 2002, a pedicled BFP flap was used to reconstruct oral defects after tumour removal in 15 patients, prospectively analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adequate closure of the defect was achieved. In seven cases there was some retraction of the BFP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BFP, as a flap, offers a good and simple option in the reconstruction of small to medium defects in the oral cavity, above all in older patients. The greatest disadvantage is that reduction in oral opening could occur, to an unpredictable degree.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Pathology, Seconda Universita degli Studi di Napoli, Facolta di Medicina e Chirurgica, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colella
authors.forename: GianPaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tartaro
authors.forename: Amerigo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giudice
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps