Pedicled buccal fat pad in the management of oroantral fistula: a clinical study of 15 cases.

This study evaluated the long term effectiveness of pedicled buccal fat pad (BFP) with or without buccal advancement flap in the closure of oroantral fistula (OAF). A prospective clinical study involving 15 patients with chronic OAF was carried out. All cases were managed with pedicled BFP as the primary or secondary procedure. Cases with doubtful outcome were closed in two layers using BFP along with buccal advancement flap. Cases were followed for 3 months (1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks) to evaluate any postoperative complications such as wound dehiscence, necrosis or infection. Females (66.7%) in their third to fourth decade were commonly affected in the right posterior region (75%). Dental extraction (73.3%) followed by maxillofacial pathology was the most common causes for developing OAF. Only 2 of 15 cases were closed in two layers. Complete epithelialisation of all the cases was observed with no postoperative complications. Pedicled BFP is an effective and reliable flap for the repair of OAF. Cases of larger oral defects with doubtful outcome can be closed in two layers using BFP along with buccal advancement flap.