Pedicled Buccal Fat Pad versus Conventional Gelfoam in Management of Lateral Palatal Defect Healing After Primary Palatoplasty

Abstract

Introduction: Delayed mucosalization of lateral palatal defects following palatoplasty may increase postoperative pain, discomfort, and risk of complications.  The pedicled buccal fat pad has been used as a biological dressing to enhance intraoral wound healing; however, systematic evaluation following palatoplasty remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate mucosalization time of buccal fat pad-covered lateral palatal defects and compare outcomes with conventional management.
Methods: An observational study was conducted at Kirtipur Hospital, Nepal, from August 2025 to January 2026. Thirty non-syndromic cleft palate patients undergoing primary palatoplasty were enrolled consecutively and divided into two groups: Group A (n=15), managed with purified gelatin (Gelfoam), and Group B (n=15), managed with pedicled buccal fat pad coverage. Postoperative pain, cheek swelling, operative duration, and time to complete mucosalization were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and independent t-test.
Results: Baseline demographic characteristics, defect size, and operative duration were comparable between groups. Mean time to complete mucosalization was significantly shorter in the BFP group (2.20 ± 0.41 weeks) than the conventional group (4.00 ± 1.07 weeks; p<0.05). Postoperative pain on the day of surgery was significantly lower in the BFP group, while no postoperative bleeding was observed. Transient cheek swelling in some BFP cases resolved spontaneously.
Conclusion: The pedicled buccal fat pad significantly accelerates mucosalization of lateral palatal defects and reduces early postoperative pain without adding substantial operative time. It is a safe and effective adjunct in cleft palate reconstruction.