EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF INTRA-ORAL BUCCAL FAT PAD EXCISION FOR BILATERAL CHEEK SLIMMING
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of buccal fat pad excision for bilateral cheek slimming.
Subjects and methods: A prospective, uncontrolled, clinical intervention study on 38 patients who wanted to reduce cheek fullness bilaterally, were re-examined and evaluated at 1 week, 1 month and 3 month after the surgery at The Gioi Dep aesthetic surgery clinic, Ho Chi Minh city from January 2022 to September 2025. Efficacy was evaluated by the survey of patient satisfaction on a 10-point scale and post-operative volume consideration of buccal fat pad by ultrasonography at 3 months after surgery. Safety was assessed by recording all adverse events and reactions at each visit.
Results: Patient satisfaction was relatively high with an average score of 8.5/10. The mean pre- and post-operative buccal fat pad volumes were 6.83 ± 0.40 mL and 4.84 ± 0.37 mL respectively. Only 4/38 patients experienced complications (10.53%). The most complication was heavy trismus in patients with severe swelling and pain, but this complication gradually subsided within an average of 10 days.
Conclusion: Intra-oral buccal fad pad excision resulted in good bilateral cheek contouring with high patient satisfaction and low complication rate.
Article Details
Keywords
Buccal fat pad, buccal fat pad excision.
References
[2] Caio Roman-Torres et al. Post-operative evaluation of the intra-oral buccal fat pad removal technique: a prospective study. The Open Dentistry Journal, 2020, 14: 324-328. doi: 10.2174/1874210602014010324
[3] Fabiola Salgado-Chavarría et al. Buccal fat pad: anatomy and surgical techniques. A review of the literature. Rev Mex Cir Bucal Maxilofac, 2024, 20 (1): 17-24.
[4] Xiao H, Bayramiçli M, Jackson I.T. Volumetric analysis of the buccal fat pad. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 1999, 22: 177-181.
[5] Marios Loukas, Theodoros Kapos et al. Gross anatomical, CT and MRI analyses of the buccal fat pad with special emphasis on volumetric variations. Surg Radiol Anat, 2006, 28: 254-260.
[6] Matarasso A. Managing the buccal fat pad. Aesthet Surg J, 2006, 26 (3): 330-336.
[7] Moura L.B, Spin J.R et al. Buccal fat pad removal to improve facial aesthetics: An established technique? Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal, 2018, 23 (4): e478-84.
[8] Natalia Cardona‐Gómez et al. Assessment of clinical and ultrasonographic parameters as indicators for buccal fat pad excision by esthetic reasons. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2022, 27 (7): 1-11.
[9] Nicolas S, Paulina G, Salomon R et al. Submalar fat pad removal for esthetic purposes: A systematic approach Journal of Stomatology oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2022, 123: 587-591.
[10] Sezgin B, Tatar S et al. The excision of the buccal fat pad for cheek refinement: volumetric considerations. Aesthetic Surg J, 2019, 39: 585-592.
[11] Thomas M.K, D Silva J.A, Borole A.J. Facial sculpting: comprehensive approach for aesthetic correction of round face. Indian J Plast Surg, 2012, 45: 122-7.
[12] Valencia L.C, Pérez G.F et al. Buccal fat pad excision: hydrodissection technique. Aesthetic Surg J, 2019, 39: 1037-45.