The Excision of the Buccal Fat Pad for Cheek Refinement: Volumetric Considerations

Abstract

Buccal fat pad removal is an effective technique for refining the facial silhouette that should be reserved only for patients with increased buccal fat pad volume. Removal of only the excessive portion of the fat pad is important because this structure provides significant volume in the midface that can be difficult to restore once aging takes its toll on the surrounding soft and bony tissue.

Buccal fat pad excision for cheek refinement: A systematic review

“…Finally, 3 case series studies ( 5 , 6 , 33 ) and 1 RCT ( 34 ) met the inclusion criteria and were selected for qualitative and quantitative synthesis (Fig. 1 ).…”

“…All 3 observational studies ( 5 , 6 , 33 ) were assessed by the adapted NOS. The mean NOS score was 5 (Range: 3 to 8), being the domain “Selection” the highest ranked and the “Comparability” the lowest ( Table 1 ).…”

“…The four studies selected included 121 patients, with an age range of 18 to 60 years old and there were 7 times as many females ( Table 2 ) ( 5 , 6 , 33 , 34 ). Although all the included reports followed an intraoral approach for removing the BFP, the incision was made in two regions: at bite level ( 5 , 33 , 34 ) or at maxillary gingivobuccal sulcus ( 6 ).…”

“…With regard to anaesthesia regimen, the isolate excision of the BFP was carried out under local anaesthesia or conscious sedation ( 5 , 6 , 33 , 34 ). However, general anaesthesia was preferred when extensive associated procedures were performed simultaneously (i.e.…”

A Simple Technique to Measure the Volume of Removed Buccal Fat

“… 3 One ultrasonographic study estimated the volume of buccal fat per cheek to be 11.67 mL and reported that the average amount of fat removed was 2.74 mL. 4 Although the procedure is relatively simple, a challenge surgeons face is estimating the amount of fat removed and ensuring that equal amounts of fat are removed from both cheeks. Failure to do so may lead to facial asymmetry.…”