Application of the buccal fat pad to the surgical treatment of oral submucous fibrosis.

The pedicled buccal fat pad has been widely used for the repair of oral defects. A new application of this flap in the treatment of patients suffering from trismus caused by oral submucous fibrosis is reported. The patients underwent incision of the fibrotic bands and coverage of the buccal defect with a pedicled buccal fat pad flap. The surgical technique is described, and the results suggest that this is a logical, convenient, and reliable technique for the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis.