Application of the Buccal Fat Pad in Oral Reconstruction: Covered With Collagen Membrane or Not?

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of collagen membrane as biological dressing in protecting the covered buccal fat pad (BFP) from physical damage during postoperative healing phase in the reconstruction of oral soft tissue defect. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed in patients undergoing oral defects reconstruction using BFP. The predictor variable was the application of collagen membrane or not. The primary outcome variable was the wound healing. Other variables considered included age, gender, pain score, time taken for epithe-lialization, defect size and site. Postoperative follow-up was done at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. Results: Thirty patients in Zhuhai People’s Hospital were selected and randomly divided in 2 groups. Group i patients were reconstructed using BFP alone, whereas collagen membrane was used as a covering over BFP in group II patients. In group I, 4 patients developed dehiscence 1-week postoperative, and underwent infection with food lodgment along with another 1 patient at 3-week follow-up, whereas none of the group II patients developed dehiscence or infection. Pain score was lesser in group II patients as compared to group I. Time taken for epithelialization was about 3 weeks in both groups. Conclusions: Combined application of collagen membrane protects the covered BFP from masticatory physical damage and food lodgment, which reduces infection and graft loss. It is worthy of consideration as an effective method for the reconstruction of selected moderate-sized oral defects, especially in larger size or at distant location.