Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.  2018 ;40(1):11. 10.1186/s40902-018-0150-8.

Reconstruction of cheek mucosal defect with a buccal fat pad flap in a squamous cell carcinoma patient: a case report and literature review

• Hwang DS
• Park J
• Kim UK
• Park HR
• Kim GC
• Ryu MH

• KMID: 2431934
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40902-018-0150-8

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most commonly occurring malignant tumor in the oral cavity. In South Korea, it occurs most frequently in the mandible, tongue, maxilla, buccal mucosa, other areas of the oral cavity, and lips. Radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is the most widely used reconstruction method for the buccal mucosal defect. The scar of the forearm donor, however, is highly visible and unsightly, and a secondary surgical site is needed when such technique is applied. For these reasons, buccal fat pad (BFP) flap has been commonly used for closing post-surgical excision sites since the recent decades because of its reliability, ease of harvest, and low complication rate.
CASE PRESENTATION
In the case reported herein, BFP flap was used to reconstruct a cheek mucosal defect after excision. The defect was completely covered by the BFP flap, without any complications.
CONCLUSION
Discussed herein is the usefulness of BFP flap for the repair of the cheek mucosal defect. Also, further studies are needed to determine the possibility of using BFP flap when the defect is deep, and the maximum volume that can be harvested considering the changes in volume with age.

Keyword

Buccal fat pad flap; Buccal mucosal defect; Buccal fat pad; Oral cavity reconstruction; Pedicled buccal fat pad flap

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue*
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Cheek*
Cicatrix
Epithelial Cells*
Forearm
Free Tissue Flaps
Humans
Korea
Lip
Mandible
Maxilla
Methods
Mouth
Mouth Mucosa
Tissue Donors
Tongue