• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2014

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is defined as exposed necrotic bone without evidence of healing for at least 8 weeks in the maxillofacial area in a patient with history of bisphosphonate use. Obtaining complete coverage of the hard tissue by soft tissue in BRONJ patients is especially important. Therefore, managing the mucosa is one of the key factors in a successful outcome, but this is especially hard to achieve in BRONJ patients. Various applications of buccal fat pad in oral reconstruction-including the closure of surgical defects following tumor excision, repair of surgical defects following the excision of leukoplakia and submucous fibrosis, closure of primary and secondary palatal clefts, coverage of maxillary and mandibular bone grafts, and lining of sinus surface of maxillary sinus bone graft in sinus lift procedures for maxillary augmentation-have been studied. Eliminating all potential sites of infection and post-operative infection control is crucial in BRONJ. We present a case using the buccal fat pad pedicle for a stage 3 BRONJ defect. Uneventful total epithelialization of the buccal fat pad regardless of size was noted. In summary, the buccal fat pad has versatile application and various recipient sites for surgical utilization. It is an easy technique, with promising overall success rates. With careful selection and handling, buccal fat graft can resolve problems with soft tissue coverage in stage 2 or 3 BRONJ patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.50.1-50.6
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• 2019

Purpose: Maxillary bone grafts and implantations have increased over recent years despite a lack of maxillary bone quality and quantity. The number of patients referred for oroantral fistula (OAF) due to implant or bone graft failure has increased, and in patients with an oroantral fistula, the pedicled buccal fat pad is viewed as a robust, reliable option. This study was conducted to document the usefulness of buccal fat pad grafts for oroantral fistula closure. Materials and methods: We retrospectively studied 25 patients with OAF treated with a buccal fat pad graft from 2015 to 2018. Sex, age, OAF location, cause, duration, presence of systemic disease, smoking, previous dental surgery, and side effects were investigated. Results: A total of 25 patients were studied. Mean patient age was 54.8 years, and the male to female ratio was 19: 6. Causes of oroantral fistula were cyst enucleation, tumor resection, implant removal, bone graft failure, and extraction. Excellent results were obtained in 23 (92%) of the 25 patients. In the other two patients that both smoked, a small fistula was observed during follow-up. No recurrence of oroantral fistula was observed after 2 months to 1 year of follow-up. Conclusions: The incidence of oroantral fistula is increasing due to implant and bone graft failures. Oroantral fistula closure using a pedicled buccal fat pad was found to have a high success rate.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.370-374
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• 2016

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common type of malignant neoplasm in the minor salivary gland. The hard palate is a frequently involved site of MEC. The treatment of low-grade MEC on the hard palate is wide local resection with a tumor-free margin. In the present case, the maxillary defect was reconstructed using a buccal fat pad (BFP) flap, followed by application of 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR) ointment for 2 weeks. The grafted BFP successfully covered the tumor resection defect without tension and demonstrated complete re-epithelialization without any complications.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2016

An oro-antral fistula(OAF) is one of the most common complications after procedures at the maxillary posterior area. The purpose of this study was to introduce the closure of OAF with repair of the Schneiderian membrane. This case report includes three patients with OAF arising after dental surgery on molar region of maxilla. Under general anesthesia, fistulectomy was achieved in all three patients and the full thickness flap around OAF was raised. After removal of inflammatory tissue, the Schneiderian membrane was repaired with suture or application of fibrin sealant. Additional closures were then performed with a buccal fat pad flap and a buccal mucoperiosteal flap. All OAF in three patients enrolled in this study were closed successively without recurrence of fistula. Treatment of oroantral fistula using repair of the Schneiderian membrane is a good alternative option for patients with OAF accompanied by chronic maxillary sinusitis.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.209-213
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• 2021

Primary palatoplasty for cleft palate places patients at high risk for scarring, altered vascularity, and persistent tension. Palatal fistulas are a challenging complication of primary palatoplasty that typically form around the hard palate-soft palate junction. Repairing palatal fistulas, particularly wide fistulas, is extremely difficult because there are not many choices for closure. However, a few techniques are commonly used to close the remaining fistula after primary palatoplasty. Herein, we report the revision of a palatal fistula using a pedicled buccal fat pad and palatal lengthening with a buccinator myomucosal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty to treat a patient with a wide palatal fistula. Tension-free closure of the palatal fistula was achieved, as well as velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) correction. This surgical method enhanced healing, minimized palatal contracture and shortening, and reduced the risk of infection. The palate healed with mucosalization at 2 weeks, and no complications were noted after 4 years of follow-up. Therefore, these flaps should be considered as an option for closure of large oronasal fistulas and VPI correction in young patients with wide palatal defects and VPI.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.61 no.11
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• pp.605-610
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• 2018

Background and Objectives The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of a posterior-based buccinator myomucosal flap (the Bozola flap) for the reconstruction of oral cavity defects after tongue cancer resection. Subjects and Method Fifteen patients who underwent from 2014 to 2016 reconstruction of the oral cavity with a Bozola flap after surgical management of tongue cancer were enrolled in the study. Patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, and complications associated with the Bozola flap were evaluated. Results The flap was successfully harvested and transferred in all patients. The mean flap harvesting time was 25.3 min. The donor site was closed primarily in 14 patients, and a buccal fat pad flap was used in one patient. Although partial necrosis of the flap occurred in two patients, no other major complications were noted. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that the Bozola flap is a good option for reconstruction of moderate sized oral cavity defects in tongue cancer patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.527-537
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• 2007

To evaluate criteria, indications, and prognosis of the various reconstructive methods on the patients with intraoral soft tissue defect who had been treated at Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital from 2003 to 2005, we have reviewed the clinical data of the patients and analysed. The results were as follows: 1. Tongue flaps have been mainly applied on anterior portion of palate and maxilla. The survival rate was high percent, but the cooperation of patient was inevitable for the success. 2. Palatal mucosa rotational flaps were available on relative large defect on palate, oroantral fistula site. The side effect was a scaring band from secondary healing on denuded donor palate site. Sometimes the band came to be a hinderance to swallowing, phonation. 3. Forearm free flap was a workhorse flap for everywhere in intraoral defects. We had used the flap on cheek, floor of mouth, tongue without any significant complications. But the application of the flap was required for long operation time, which was disadvantageous to the old, weak patients. 4. Cervical platysmal flap could be easily applicable for buccal cheek, floor of mouth after excision of the cancer lesion. The design of the flap could be made simultaneously on neck dissection, but the danger of cancer remnants on the flap always might be remained. 5. Buccal fat pad pedicled flap must have been a primary flap for repair of oroantral fistula especially on posterior maxilla. The flap survival will be expected if the considerations for above reconstructive methods on site, size, condition of defects primarily could be made.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical availability of a variety of intraoral local flaps in reconstruction of oral soft tissue defects, Forty patients with oral soft tissue defects were treated by tongue, buccinator, palatal, labial, facial artery musculomucosal, buccal fat pad, and masseter muscle crossover flap. Total 43 intraoral flaps were used to reconstruct a variety of intraoral soft tissue defects, such as oronasal fistula, oroantral fistula, traumatic deformities and other. The age of patients ranged from 7 to 72 years, with mean age of 39.6 years. Follow up period ranged from 2 to 66 months, mean follow up period of 21.6 months. There were 9 complications, of which four were partial necrosis, three infections, one total necrosis, and 1 speech problem. Except for total necrosis, most of the recipient sited healed uneventually without severe morbidity. We consider that a variety of intraoral local flaps can be available for reconstruction of small of moderate large intraoral soft tissue defects.