APPLICATION OF BUCCAL FAT PAD IN WIDE CLEFT PALATE CLOSURE: FUNCTIONAL AND ANATOMICAL OUTCOMES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

Аннотация

This study explores the application of the buccal fat pad flap in the surgical treatment of wide cleft palates in young children. A total of 48 patients aged 10 to 24 months were evaluated, with 24 receiving the buccal fat pad flap and 24 undergoing conventional closure. The technique demonstrated significant improvement in wound healing and reduction in complications. Oronasal fistula rates decreased from 41.6% to 12.5%, and scar-related contractures were observed in only 8.3% of cases with the flap. The buccal fat pad proves to be a reliable, low-risk method that enhances both anatomical repair and functional recovery. Keywords buccal fat pad, cleft palate repair, oronasal fistula, pediatric surgery, wide cleft, velopharyngeal function, facial development, scar contracture Relevance Wide cleft palate closure in early childhood remains a complex reconstructive challenge due to the high risk of postoperative complications such as oronasal fistulas, scar contractures, and impaired maxillary growth. Traditional palatoplasty techniques often fail to provide sufficient soft tissue coverage in severe cases, leading to excessive tension and healing issues. The buccal fat pad flap offers an innovative solution due to its rich vascularity, ease of harvest, and compatibility with oral mucosa. Despite its growing use in adult reconstructive surgery, its application in pediatric cleft surgery has received limited attention. This study addresses this gap by providing a comparative analysis of outcomes with and without the buccal fat pad in young children. Improved healing, reduced complication rates, and better functional outcomes highlight the technique's clinical significance. These results support the broader integration of the buccal fat pad flap into standard surgical protocols for managing complex cleft palates in early childhood. Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the buccal fat pad flap in reducing complications and improving functional and anatomical outcomes in the surgical repair of wide cleft palates in children under 2 years of age. 169 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference