Surgical management of oral sub mucous fibrosis nasolabial flap vs buccal fat pad graft A comparative study

Abstract

BACKGROUND, AIM AND OBJECTIVES: Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic progressive premalignant condition, characterized by gradually increasing fibrosis of sub mucosa resulting in trismus thereby, limiting mouth opening. Various surgical modalities have been tried in the surgical management, but each has its own limitations. In the present study, extended nasolabial flap and buccal fat pad graft have been used for reconstruction after release of fibrosis. These two methods have been compared and assessed for their role in improving the mouth opening post operatively. newlineMETHODS: The study group consisted of 40 patients with bilateral clinically and histopathologically newlineproven cases of oral submucous fibrosis. Group 1 ( nasolabial flap) was compared with group 2 (buccal fat pad graft) post operatively for mouth opening up to 1 year follow up. newlineRESULTS: In the present study, buccal fat pad graft proved to give better results as the interposition material as it has good patient acceptance, rapid epithelization, minimal donor site morbidity and minimal intra and postoperative complications. newlineINTERPRETATION and CONCLUSION: Based on the present study, use of buccal fat pad graft following excision of fibrotic bands, in the management of oral submucous fibrosis gave better results with respect to postoperative mouth opening. newlineKey words: buccal fat pad, oral submucous fibrosis, extended nasolabial flap, mouth opening. newline newline