Buccal fat pad in closure of surgical defect following excision of squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa

Buccal fat pad (BFP) has been used clinically for various applications as pedicled graft including closure of oronasal and/or oroantral communication and for malar augmentation in Down’s syndrome (Jacobson and Sheer, 1972). Histologically, buccal fat is similar to orbital fat and helps in motion of the masticatory muscles and maintaining the shape of the face. The size of the buccal fat pad is usually constant regardless of the size of individuals. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity, usually affecting individuals over 50 years of age. It rarely occurs in patients who are less than 40 years old (1 to 6%).We describe a case of squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa surgically excised and defect closed with buccal pad of fat, with excellent post operative results.