Reconstruction of a defect in retral buccal region after early carcinoma resection with buccal fat pad

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of buccal fat pad used in the reconstruction of a tissue defect in retral buccal region after early carcinoma resection. Methods From April 2014 to June 2017, 12 cases of early squamous cell carcinoma in retral buccal region were treated. 9 of these cases were associated with systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.Supraomohyoid neck dissection were performed in all patients, and buccal fat pad transfers were performed for the reconstruction of the tissue defect in retral buccal region after early carcinoma resection.The clinical outcomes of the method were observed. Results Buccal fat pad survived in 11 of 12. All patients had no recurrence of local tumor.Mouth opening was normal in 9 cases of the patients, while the rest 3 cases had difficulties in mouth opening to different extents.The cardiocerebral vascular accidents did not occur in the patients who were associated with systemic diseases and all the patients were satisfied with the clinical outcome. Conclusions There are many advantages to use buccal fat pad such as abundant blood supply, strong resistance to infection, simple surgical procedure, and less trauma, which make the application of buccal fat pad a recommendable method for the reconstruction of the defect in retral buccal region after early carcinoma resection. Key words: Buccal pad; Defect; Reconstructive surgical procedures