Effect of buccal fat pad, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and buccal advancement flap in oroantral fistula closure

Abstract

An oroantral fistula (OAF) is a pathological abnormal communication between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus which may arise as a result of failure of primary healing of an OAF which can result into the maxillary sinusitis. Therefore, a number of methods are attempted to close this connection using various types of flap or graft. The objective of the research was to evaluate the closure of the oroantral fistula using the buccal advancement flap (BAF), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and buccal pad of fat. The study comprised 30 healthy patients with oroantral fistulas. Based on the method utilised to close the OAF, the samples were split into three groups: Group I used a buccal pad of fat, Group II used platelet-rich fibrin and Group III used a buccal advancement flap. All groups showed satisfactory healing, however the BPF and PRF groups experienced much less post-operative pain, clinical healing scores and swelling than the BAF group. BPD and PRF were found to be effective in closing OAF.

Keywords: Oroantral fistula (OAF); buccal pad of fat (BPF); fistula; flap; management; oroantral communication (OAC); platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).