Buccal fat pad lifting: an alternative open technique for malar augmentation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to introduce a novel technique for malar augmentation using buccal fat pad pedicle flaps and to evaluate the long-term results and complications of the technique.


METHODS
The investigators designed and conducted a prospective clinical trial. Patients underwent unilateral malar augmentation surgery using buccal fat pad pedicle flaps from June 2011 through June 2012. Patients underwent surgery for esthetic reasons or for trauma with severely comminuted or old zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures that could not be reduced precisely. The primary predictor variable was the buccal fat pad pedicle flap technique. The primary outcome variables included the amount of augmentation and resorption (which was estimated by comparing pre- with postsurgical photographic views), pain, edema, bruising, and nerve and parotid duct injuries.


RESULTS
Thirteen patients (8 men and 5 women) underwent malar augmentation in the cheekbone area using the buccal fat pad pedicle flap technique. One year after surgery, the average amount of resorption was 0.376 mm. Other major complications, such as prolonged bruising, massive hematoma, intense pain, asymmetry, and parotid duct injury, were not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that this new open-access technique should be considered an alternative method for the management of mild to moderate malar depression in patients undergoing esthetic and post-trauma surgery.
Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jundishapour University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: keyhanomid@ymail.com.
Kazem
K
Khiabani
Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Craniomaxillofacial Research Center, Shahid Rahnemoon Hospital, Yazd, Iran.
Seied Omid
SO
Keyhan
Chief Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Craniomaxillofacial Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Payam
P
Varedi
Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bandar Abbas University of Medical Science, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Seifollah
S
Hemmat
Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jundishapour University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran.
Roohollah
R
Razmdideh
Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jundishapour University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran.
Elham
E
Hoseini
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000328:Adult; D002610:Cheek / Q000601:surgery*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D055815:Young Adult; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000601:surgery