Palatal reconstruction with tunnellized Bichat fat pad flap after tumor resection

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of palate defects following tumor ablative surgery can be a challenging problem. Different methods have been suggested over the time for the reconstruction of postoperative palatal defects. Since the first report of the Bichat fat pad flap in1977, it has become one of the most used flaps for the reconstruction of palate after tumor excision. We report our results using the tunnellized Bichat fat pad (BFP) flap for 23 cases of palate reconstruction after minor salivary glands tumor excision. METHODS: The authors performed a tunnellized Bichat fat pad flap for primary reconstruction of small- medium-sized surgical defects of the palate in 23 patients suffering from minor salivary glands palatal tumors in the period between 2016 and 2019. Each case was reviewed for primary pathologic findings, wound healing, postoperative complications. RESULTS: All 23 tunnellized BFP procedures showed excellent recovery and uneventful follow-up. With this technique after 12 months follow-up complete wound healing after only 4 weeks without complication was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The tunnellized BFP flap is useful, easy, and uncomplicated new alternative method for primary reconstruction of small to medium-sized palatal surgical defects, that can be performed with a very low morbidity. Submucosal tunnel for the pedicle passage introduced by the Authors adds some advantages in final outcomes with less discomfort for the patients, proving to be a technique able to adds itself to surgical reconstructive technique available today.