Clinical Evaluation of Buccal Fat Pad and Nasolabial Flap for Oral Submucous Fibrosis Intraoral Defects

Objective: Surgical defects following fibrotomy in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) are difficult to manage due to relapse, and local flaps play a pivotal role in covering the defect. The purpose of this study is to compare the buccal fat pad (BFP) and nasolabial flap (NLF) for the reconstruction of intraoral defects after the release of fibrous bands in patients with OSMF. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on patients with OSMF with surgical treatment of fibrotomy excision and reconstruction of the defect with 2 options. Thirty patients with OSMF were divided into 2 groups, group I (BFP) and group II (NLF). Both groups were analyzed for preoperative and postoperative mouth opening and oral commissural width; the extraoral scar was assessed using the Stony Brook Scar Assessment Scale. The data were statistically analyzed using paired and unpaired t test. Results: Thirty patients comprising 27 (90%) male and 3 (10%) female with ages ranging between 19 and 51 years were involved. The mean preoperative and postoperative interincisal mouth opening was 12 mm and 27 mm in group I and 11 mm and 38 mm in group II, respectively, showing a significant increase in group II, and the mean preoperative and postoperative commissural width was 52 mm and 58 mm in group I and 51 mm and 60 mm in group II, respectively. Conclusion: The proposed surgical protocol for the management of OSMF found NLF superior to BFP for the reconstruction of intraoral defects after the release of fibers in patients with OSMF, with a minimal residual scar.