Histologic examination of pedicled buccal fat pad graft in oral submucous fibrosis.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

This report evaluates the wound healing process of buccal fat pad (BFP) grafted on a defect of the buccal mucosa for oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Sixteen patients with limitation of mouth opening under the diagnosis of OSF were surgically treated by cutting the fibrotic bands on the buccal mucosa (10 bilateral and 6 unilateral). The defects created were then covered by a BFP graft. The bulging BFP was trimmed postoperatively on a weekly basis until it was fully epithelialized. The specimens were stained and examined microscopically.

RESULTS:

Inflammatory cell infiltrate, blood vessel congestion, and fibrinous exudates covering the BFP were obvious by week 2. At week 3, blood vessel congestion and fat cell number decreased markedly. Evidence of stratified squamous epithelium with parakeratosis was seen in the margin of the BFP graft. At week 4, the number of fat cells decreased significantly and the original BFP was almost completely replaced by granulation tissue. The original BFP was fully covered by stratified squamous epithelium by week 5.

CONCLUSIONS:

The BFP graft has been widely used for covering exposed defects created by fibrotic band excision for the improvement of mouth opening limitation. The healing process was documented microscopically by weekly observation.

• Authors: Chiao-Kang Chao, Long-Chang Chang, Shyun-Yen Liu, Jaang-Jiun Wang
• Journal: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (J Oral Maxillofac Surg) Vol. 60 Issue 10 Pg. 1131-4 (Oct 2002) ISSN: 0278-2391 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12378485 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Topics

• Adipose Tissue (anatomy & histology, transplantation)
• Adult
• Areca (adverse effects)
• Cheek
• Epithelium (anatomy & histology)
• Granulation Tissue (anatomy & histology)
• Humans
• Male
• Military Personnel
• Mouth Mucosa (surgery)
• Oral Submucous Fibrosis (complications, etiology, surgery)
• Oral Surgical Procedures
• Surgical Flaps
• Treatment Outcome
• Trismus (etiology, surgery)