Buccal Fat Pad Flap

Fagan, Johan

Buccal Fat Pad Flap

Open Education Resource

2025-10-31

Abstract

The buccal fat pad flap is an axial flap and may be used to fill small-to-medium sized soft tissue and bony defects in the palate, superior and inferior alveoli and buccal mucosa. It is often encountered as it bulges into the surgical field during surgery in the pterygomandibular region. The buccal fat pad (Figure 1) is an encapsulated, mass of specialized fatty tissue the volume of which varies throughout life. It is distinct from subcutaneous fat (Figure 2). It fills the deep tissue spaces and acts as gliding pads when masticatory and mimetic muscles contract, and cushions important structures from forces generated by muscle contraction.

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Buccal Fat Pad Flap

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