Buccal Fat Pad a Forgotten Option of Reconstruction in Oral Cancer

• DOI: 10.1007/s12070-018-1257-z
• Publication Date: 2018-02-19T08:44:57Z
• Authors: M. I. Katre; S. D. Deshmukh; P. S. Dhanajkar; Prashant Keche; A. Gaikwad
• Keywords: Buccal fat pad; Buccal mucosa; Oral Cancers; Soft palate

The buccal fat pad (BFP) originally described as an anatomic structure without any obvious function. For long period it was considered to be surgical nuisance. However during the last four decades buccal fat is successively used tool for maxillofacial surgery for reconstruction of small to medium sized acquired or congenital soft tissue and bony defect in oral cavity. The aim of present article is to review the database available regarding BFP including its anatomy, clinical usage in oral malignancy as tool of reconstruction after ablative procedures it's success and its adoptability with other loco-regional flap for oral reconstruction in different scenario and our experience with it in tertiary cancer centre in India.