Application of unilateral pedicled buccal fat pad for nasal membrane closure in the bilateral complete cleft palate

A Review of the Use of Buccal Fat Pad in Cleft Palate Repair

OBJECTIVE

To review the available evidence on the use of the Buccal Fat Pad in primary and secondary Cleft Palate repair.

METHODS

This is a narrative review. A computerized literature search was conducted for articles published till February 2022 using the Mesh phrases buccal fat pad AND cleft palate, Bichat's Fat pad AND cleft palate, buccal fat pad OR Bichats Fat pad AND cleft palate.

RESULTS

A total of 35 articles were included in this review based on the set eligibility criteria. Most of the studies were retrospective case reviews (n  =  16, 45.7%), and the aggregate number of patients from all included studies was 666. Reported uses of the buccal fat pad (BFP) in association with cleft palate repair include the closure of central cleft palate defect and nasal floor in primary cleft palate repair, oronasal fistula repair following primary repair of cleft palate, and closure of relieving incision defect in primary repair of cleft palate. Complications reported were 24 cases of Oronasal Fistula (ONF), 2 dehiscences, and 4 transient mucosal defects.

CONCLUSION

The high success rate, vascularity, ease of tissue harvest, and low donor site morbidity all support its use as an adjunct flap in cleft palate repair, especially in the closure of wide palatal clefts, to prevent post-palatal repair fistula, wound contracture, and subsequently velopharyngeal insufficiency and possibly midface hypoplasia.

Buccal Fat Pad in Primary and Secondary Cleft Palate Repair: A Systematic Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence supporting the use of buccal fat pad (BFP) in primary and secondary cleft palate repair and its short- and long- term clinical outcomes.

DESIGN

Systematic review conducted by 2 independent reviewers following PRISMA guidelines.

SETTING: NONE PARTICIPANTS

Articles were identified from three databases (Pubmed/Medline, Embase and Web of Science). Search terms included "cleft palate", "palatoplasty", "palate repair", "buccal fat pad".

INTERVENTIONS

Use of BFP in primary and secondary cleft palatoplasty.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcomes were immediate postoperative complications, postoperative fistula, and maxillary growth. Secondary outcomes were palatal length, speech, and donor site morbidity.

RESULTS

Ninety-one reports were retrieved after excluding duplicates. Twenty-three studies were included (13 case series and 10 comparative studies). Overall level of evidence was low. Randomized and non-randomized studies had a high risk of bias. In primary palatoplasty, BFP was more frequently used filling lateral relaxing incisions(57.4%), or in the hard-soft palate junction and covering mucosal defects(30.1%). In these patients, post operative fistula incidence was 2.8%. Two studies found wider transverse maxillary dimensions after BFP use. No higher incidence of bleeding, infection, dehiscence, or flap necrosis was reported. In secondary palatoplasty, no recurrent fistulas were reported for patients undergoing BFP for fistula repair.

CONCLUSIONS

BFP appears to be associated with a favorable impact in fistula prevention and management, as well as in transverse maxillary growth. However, there is a high heterogeneity among studies, high risk of bias and overall low quality of evidence. More high-quality research with long-term follow-up is warranted.

Anatomical and Surgical Implications of the Usage of Bichat Fat Pad in Oroantral Communication, Maxillary, Palatal, and Related Surgeries-Narrative Review

The buccal fat pad, also called the Bichat's fat pad (BFP), is an encapsulated fat mass located in the cheek. This type of specialized fat mass can be used both as a pedicular or free graft in various surgeries and approaches. Due to its easy access from the oral cavity approach, it is commonly used for oroantral and palatal fistula closure. The knowledge of its anatomy and surrounding tissues plays a role in its mobilization and suturing onto the desired defect in the palatal or maxillary region. The BFP is mostly associated with the primary approach used for a fistula or bone surgery. Alternatively, the procedure can be performed with a single approach incision, which does not compromise the appearance or the function of the operating or adjacent areas. The most important inclusion criteria for BFP usage and surgical limitations are highlighted. The BFP is used for multiple purposes in reconstructive and oncology surgery and also has its use in esthetic and facial contouring procedures. The amount, volume, and shape of the BFP are mostly associated with the scope of their usage. The aim of the following narrative review is to present the surgical and anatomical implications of fat pads in maxillary and palatal surgeries.

Fat grafting in patients with cleft lip and palate: A systematic review

This systematic review aims to compare different fat-grafting techniques for cleft lip and palate repair. A search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, gray literature and reference lists of selected articles. A total of 25 articles were included, 12 on closure of palatal fistula and 13 on cleft lip repair. The rate of complete resolution of palatal fistula ranged from 88.6% to 100% in studies with no control group, whereas in comparative studies patients receiving a fat graft showed better outcomes than those not receiving a graft. Evidence suggests that fat grafting can be indicated for the primary and secondary repair of cleft palate, with good results. The use of dermis-fat grafts in lip repair was associated with gains in surface area (11.5%), vertical height (18.5%-27.11%), and lip projection (20%). Fat infiltration was associated with increased lip volume (6.5%), vermilion show (31.68% ± 24.03%), and lip projection (46.71% ± 31.3%). The available literature suggests that fat grafting is a promising autogenous option for palate and fistula repair and for improvement of lip projection and scar aesthetics in patients with cleft. However, to develop a guideline, further studies are needed to confirm whether one technique is superior to the other.

What is the Fate of the Pedicled Buccal Fat Pad Flap When Used During Primary Palatoplasty?

ABSTRACT

Pedicled buccal fat pad flaps have more recently been applied to primary cleft palate reconstruction, and yet the integrity of the flap and the long-term impact on the palate has not yet been studied. This case study uses magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the composition of the soft palate 5 years after the interpositional placement of bilateral pedicled buccal fat pad flaps during primary palatoplasty. Anatomical measures are used to quantify the flap and surrounding velopharynx using magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional computer technology, indicating that this surgical technique may have a lasting impact for children with cleft palate.

A Preliminary Study of Anatomical Changes Following the Use of a Pedicled Buccal Fat Pad Flap During Primary Palatoplasty

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the surgical impact of the pedicled buccal fat pad (BFP) flap on the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle and surrounding velopharyngeal (VP) anatomy following primary palatoplasty using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

DESIGN

Observational, prospective.

SETTING

MRI studies were completed at 3 different facilities. All participants with BFP flap were operated on by the same surgeon.

PARTICIPANTS

Five pediatric participants with cleft palate with or without cleft lip (CP±L) who underwent primary palatoplasty with BFP flap placement. Comparison groups consisted of 10 participants: 5 with CP±L who did not receive the BFP flap and 5 healthy controls.

INTERVENTIONS

All participants underwent nonsedated MRI 2 to 5 years postoperatively.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Anatomical measures of the velopharynx and LVP among the 3 participant groups.

RESULTS

Median values were significantly different among groups for velar length (P = .042), effective velar length (P = .048), effective VP ratio (P = .046), LVP length (P = .021), extravelar LVP length (P = .009), and LVP origin-origin distance (P = .030). Post hoc analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the BFP and traditional repair groups for effective VP ratio (P = .040), extravelar LVP length (P = .033), and LVP length (P = .022).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides preliminary support that the BFP flap creates a longer velum, with increased distance between the posterior hard palate and the LVP, and a larger effective VP ratio compared to traditional surgical techniques. Future research is needed to determine whether this procedure provides a more favorable mechanism for VP closure.

Buccal fat pad in cleft palate repair- An institutional experience of 27 cases

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this paper is to consider the anatomical basis and surgical technique along with the utility of buccal fat pad (BFP) for the reconstruction in cleft lip and palate patients.

METHODS

We reviewed 27 cases of CLAP treated with BFP over three year period in our institution which included 2 cases of primary palatoplasty & 25 cases of secondary palatoplasty. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients operated by a single surgeon with a minimum follow up of 2yrs. Exclusion criteria included all syndromic cleft lip and palate patients. Predictor variables recorded were demographic characters, follow up period, type of cleft, type of surgical procedure, site & dimension of the fistula. Outcome variables of the study were post-operative fistula formation, post-operative hemorrhage & speech assessment.

RESULTS

The study included 8 female & 19 male patients with mean age group 3.75 ± 1.75yrs. Cleft of soft palate & Lt. CLAP were the most common type of cleft. The surgical technique used was: BFP with V-Y pushback palatoplasty for primary palate repair, BFP with Furlow's technique for VPI correction, and BFP in conjugation with rotation flap, straight-line closure or redohardpalatoplasty for fistula closure. All cases showed satisfactory healing with favorable speech assessment outcomes for 18 patients (67%).

CONCLUSION

BFP along with other types of flap is the choice of treatment in cases of moderate defect owing to its favorable anatomic location & high vascularity. The size limitation of the BFP must be known to permit a successful outcome.

The use of the buccal fat pad flap for oral reconstruction

Many congenital and acquired defects occur in the maxillofacial area. The buccal fat pad flap (BFP) is a simple and reliable flap for the treatment of many of these defects because of its rich blood supply and location, which is close to the location of various intraoral defects. In this article, we have reviewed BFP and the associated anatomical background, surgical techniques, and clinical applications. The surgical procedure is simple and has shown a high success rate in various clinical applications (approximately 90%), including the closure of oroantral fistula, correction of congenital defect, treatment of jaw bone necrosis, and reconstruction of tumor defects. The control of etiologic factors, size of defect, anatomical location of defect, and general condition of patient could influence the prognosis after grafting. In conclusion, BFP is a reliable flap that can be applied to various clinical situations.

Buccal fat pad lifting: an alternative open technique for malar augmentation

PURPOSE

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.

MATERIALS AND 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.

CONCLUSION

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.

Effectiveness of buccal fat in closing residual midpalatal and posterior palatal fistulas in patients previously treated for clefts

PURPOSE

The present retrospective study assessed the outcome and effectiveness of the buccal fat pad flap for closure of postoperative midpalatal fistulas and fistulas of the posterior palate in patients previously treated for cleft palate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The charts of 29 patients with residual midpalatal and posterior palatal fistulas treated using buccal fat pad flaps were assessed. Of the 29 patients, 18 were males and 11 were females, aged 2.5 to 19 years. The fistula size was 10 to 20 mm.

RESULTS

Full epithelialization of the flap had occurred within 4 weeks in all 29 patients. The fistulas had completely closed in 28 patients. In 1 patient, a 2-mm defect was noted in the anterior part of the fistula repair that had healed after 2 months without intervention.

CONCLUSION

The buccal fat pad flap can be used to repair any remaining postoperative palatal fistulas that are 10 to 20 mm in size.