Double layer of buccal myomucosal flap and buccal pad of fat for the closure of large oroantral fistula

Abstract Background Oroantral fistula (OAF) is a communication occur between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus. It leads to various complications that affect patient’s quality of life. Large fistulas pose more difficulty in its closure which necessitates carful closure to avoid its recurrence. Purpose The purpose of this study was aimed to prospectively evaluate the efficiency of double layer closure utilizing buccal myomucosal flap and buccal pad of fat which up to our knowledge has not been previously used for closure of large OAF. Patients and methods Twenty patients with large OAF were included in this study. The patient’s age, sex were recorded and they were examined clinically preoperatively and postoperatively for, pain, nasal and fistulas discharge, previous surgical intervention, size and site of OAF, etiology, infection, healing and radiographically using computed tomography. Double layer of buccal myomucosal flap and buccal pad of fat was used for closure of these fistulas. Results All patients tolerated the surgical procedures, all surgical wounds healed uneventfully without recurrence during the follow up period. Conclusion This procedure is successful technique in patients who are suffering from large OAF. It reduces the number of donor sites and minimize surgical wounds, hence reducing postoperative discomfort with acceptable functional outcomes.