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. 2018 Jul 1;23(4):e478-e484.
doi: 10.4317/medoral.22449.

Buccal fat pad removal to improve facial aesthetics: an established technique?

L-B Moura  1 , J-R Spin, R Spin-Neto, V-A Pereira-Filho
Affiliations

Buccal fat pad removal to improve facial aesthetics: an established technique?

L-B Moura et al. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. .

Abstract

Background: Buccal fat pad (BFP) is a singular structure between the facial muscles. Its removal may enhance the zygomatic prominences resulting in an inverted triangle of beauty.

Objective: The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of literature about BFP removal for facial aesthetic improvement. In order to answer the following research question: What are the indications, complication types and rates, surgical techniques and outcomes of the technique?

Material and methods: The initial search in Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases recognized 220 articles. The final review included eight of them. None of the included studies were clinical trials.

Results: BPF removal was performed by intraoral incision or associated with the face lift procedure. In 71 patients submitted to the procedure and evaluated about complications, only 8.45% presented minor complications. Parotid duct and facial nerve injuries were not found. No study evaluated facial aging and long-term effects, therefore the harmless effect of the procedure to those features is not clear.

Conclusions: Although it is not a novel procedure, there is a lack of information about long-term outcomes. Thus, controlled clinical studies should be performed to achieve adequate clinical evidence of those aspects.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of systematic review process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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