Buccal Fat Pad Reconstruction in Oral Submucosal Fibrosis

Comparative Evaluation of Reconstructive Methods in Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Background

Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic, progressive, scarring, precancerous condition of oral mucosa which on progression causes severe trismus.

Aim and Objectives

To compare and evaluate the efficiency of buccal fat pad, platysmal mucocutaneous flap, nasolabial flap, collagen membrane graft, split thickness skin graft and temporoparietal fascia in reconstruction of surgical defect created by excision of fibrous bands in oral submucous fibrosis.

Results

After 6 months of follow-up, the interincisal mouth opening was 40.0 mm in case of buccal pad fat, 24.5 mm in temporoparietal fascia flap group, 33.8 in collagen membrane graft group, 34.5 mm in platysma flap group, 34.7 mm in nasolabial flap group, 29.3 mm in split thickness skin graft. ANOVA statistical analysis for postoperative interincisal distance at various time intervals and between pre-, intra- and postoperative interincisal distances were carried out which showed the results were significant at p value < 0.05 in all groups. No postoperative complications were noted in buccal fat pad group, split thickness skin graft group and collagen membrane group. However, platysmal group had flap necrosis and temporoparietal flap group patients had to undergo a second debulking procedure after one month.

Conclusion

From our study, we concluded buccal fat pad yields superior results with respect to postoperative mouth opening and related complications.

Versatility of Buccal Pad Fat and Temporoparietal Fascia Flap in Surgical Management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

The various surgical procedures for surgical management of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) include excision of fibrous bands with or without grafts or flaps. Materials for attempted grafting included skin, placental grafts, and artificial dermis. Materials that can be used as flaps are tongue flaps, buccal fat pad, greater palatine pedicle flaps nasolabial flaps, anterolateral thigh flap, radial forearm flap, and temporalis fascia flap. The temporoparietal flap is ultrathin surgically single layer fibrovascular sheet with high vascularity, flexibility, pliability, and versatility. Ten cases with Grade III and Grade IV OSMF with 5 patients planned for reconstruction with buccal fat pad and 5 patients planned for temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF) after surgical resection of fibrotic bands were undertaken for the study. After 7 days, both flaps healed nicely with complete epithelization of the two flaps occurred. There were no complications except for hyperplasia of TPFF that covered the defect. Postoperative histopathological examination of hyperplastic temporoparietal fascia revealed well-differentiated squamous-cell carcinoma in one patient and in another case, there was failure of TPFF. Both buccal pad fat and TPFF are reliable for the reconstruction of buccal mucosal defects in surgical management of OSMF.

Surgical Interventions in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Systematic Analysis of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder of the oral cavity. The surgical management of this condition involves excision of the fibrotic bands and interpositional grafts to retain the increased oral opening. Various procedures and graft material have been utilised with differing success rates.

OBJECTIVES

The present review aims to collate and analyze from world literature the different modalities utilized in the surgical management of OSMF. The reasons for the choice of a particular surgical procedure, the study protocol, the average follow-up period and the results were scrutinized.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PRISMA protocol was followed for the systematic review. Search engines and medical databases like Ovid, Medline, Pubgate, Researchgate, PubMed, Google etc. were tapped for information related to the subject. The search words "OSMF", "surgical interventions in OSMF", "flaps and grafts in treatment of OSMF" were employed for retrieval of data. An analysis of the treatment modalities, the reason for the selection of a particular modality, the organization of the sample selection and the follow-up periods including the proclaimed success rates was done.

RESULTS

The review resulted in a total of 56 articles on the subject from the sources mentioned above. A total of 995 surgically treated cases were included in the analysis. Interestingly the review revealed very few controlled clinical trials, most being random trials on surgical procedures in small groups of patients with very short follow up periods. The choice of procedure seems to be determined entirely by the preference of the operator/s.

CONCLUSIONS

There exist no definite protocols for the adoption of a particular treatment mode in OSMF. Adequate documentation and follow up need to be established to statistically analyse the results and proclaimed successes of various treatment modalities.

Pentoxifylline in patients with oral submucous fibrosis-a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

As far as research regarding any disease is concerned, each and every aspect poses a challenge. One such entity that poses a challenge in our arena is oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) as no effective treatment is available for this progressively disabling condition with high malignant potential. Hence the present study was undertaken with the aim to determine the use of pentoxifylline (PTX) on the clinical and histopathologic course of OSF.

METHOD

Thirty clinically confirmed OSF patients were categorized randomly into group I and group II. In group I, drug PTX was administered as an adjunct along with other conventional therapies. Group II patients were advised conventional therapies only. Pre- and post-treatment biopsies were obtained for the following parameters:Micro-vascular density (MVD),Area percentage of blood vessels,Severity of fibrosis, andInflammatory components.

RESULTS

 On comparing MVD in groups I and II there was no significant difference in pre- and post-treatment.On comparing the average area percentage occupied by blood vessels, significant difference was seen in pre- and post-treatment biopsies in group I.On assessment of mouth opening and tongue protrusion, there was no significant improvement in either of the groups individually or in comparison. But when burning sensation of mucosa was assessed, pre- and post-treatment, both groups showed quite significant improvement individually.

CONCLUSION

Use of pentoxifylline seemed to be questionable, and taking into consideration the long administration time, its use is not recommended for the treatment of OSF patients.

Evaluation of versatility and effectiveness of pedicled buccal fat pad used in the reconstruction of intra oral defects

INTRODUCTION

The use of buccal fat pad as a grafting source in the closure of intraoral defects has gained popularity in the last quarter of this century. Because of the ease of access and rich blood supply, its use in oral defects is an attractive concept.

METHODOLOGY

The study comprised of 8 patients with oral submucous fibrosis, 1 patient with oroantral fistula, 1 patient with verrucous hyperplasia. The acquired oral defects following resection of pathology in the oral cavity, were reconstructed with pedicled buccal fat pad. The Post operative follow up at the intervals of 1st, 7th and 15th day, followed by 1st month, 2nd month and 3rd month was done.

RESULTS

The procedure was successful in all the patients. Healing was satisfactory with no breakdown or liquefaction necrosis post operatively. All the patients had definitive colour change at the end of 1st post operative month owing to the epithelialisation. Residual defect was present in one patient diagnosed of verrucous hyperplasia on the 1st and the 7th post operative day which subsequently healed. In 8 patients with oral submucous fibrosis post operative mouth opening was measured in and was observed to be in the range of 12-26 mm on the 1st post operative day and 34-42 mm during 3rd month post operatively.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study support the view that the use of buccal fat pad is a simple, convenient and reliable method for the reconstruction of small to medium sized intra oral defects.