Closure of oroantral fistula: Comparison between buccal fat pad and buccal advancement flap: A clinical study

BACKGROUND: The oro antral fistula (OAF) is an unnatural epithelialized communication between oral cavity and maxillary sinus. It may heal spontaneously but a larger fistula requires surgical intervention. OAF causes excruciating pain, escape of fluids from nose, escape of air from mouth into nose, epistaxis, change in voice due to resonance, purulent discharge in case of chronic OAF, post nasal discharge, popping out of antral polyp into oral cavity and sinusitis. Closure of OAF is strenuous, technique sensitive and challenging. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare and evaluate the efficacy of buccal fat pad and buccal advancement pad for closure of oroantral fistula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients of age ranging from 24–64 years with complaint of OAF were included in this prospective, comparative analytic study. In group I, OAF was treated with a buccal advancement flap and in group II, BFP was sutured over the defect. All patients were called for follow up on 1(st), 7(th), 14(th) and 21(st) day post operatively. Pain, mouth opening, edema, infection and wound dehiscence were evaluated on each visit. RESULT: The mean age of selected patients in both the treatment groups was comparable. The mean age of patients in group I was 45.00 ± 13.33 years whereas in group II the mean age was 44.00 ± 13.13 years. Pain, edema was less in Group I. Mouth opening was less in group II. We did not encountered infection and wound dehiscence in any case. CONCLUSION: Various techniques can be utilized for the closure; regardless of the technique used, success of the surgical procedure depends on effective removal of fistulous tract and complete extermination of any sinus pathology and/or infection. The major factors determining the type of surgery for closure of OAF are dimension and location of the defect. The other decisive factors could be the adequacy and health of adjoining tissue. We observed buccal fat pad to be better option for closure of OAF, despite of its more morbidity; as all the complications were of some time period and when evaluated for long term.