Complications associated with the bichectomy surgery

ABSTRACT This research study aimed at reviewing, in the literature, the aspects related to the buccal fat pad structure, named the Bichat Ball, evaluating the anatomy of the area, the buccal fat pad clinical applications and the possible complications of its surgical removal, as well as reporting a series of cases that presented such complications. The most important anatomical structures surrounding the buccal fat pad and that are frequently involved in surgical complications are the parotid gland duct, the facial nerve branches, the blood vessels and the muscular tissues. In Dentistry, the buccal fat pad clinical application has an aesthetic purpose and it can be removed or repositioned. The removal occurs to avoid intra-oral trauma, "nibbling", and the pedicle repositioning occurs for protection or to be used as a graft. The complications of the surgical removal of the buccal fat pad are not frequent, however, hematoma, infection, facial nerve and facial vessel injuries may occur. Therapies involved in it include drug therapy, drainage, laser therapy and compresses.