Midface Volume Augmentation Through Buccal Fat Pad Repositioning in Orthognathic Surgery: Technical Report

Sergio Olate; Claudio Huentequeo; Juan Pablo Alister; Alejandro Unibazo

doi:10.1097/SCS.0000000000012400

Midface Volume Augmentation Through Buccal Fat Pad Repositioning in Orthognathic Surgery: Technical Report

Sergio Olate^*
, Claudio Huentequeo
, Juan Pablo Alister
, Alejandro Unibazo

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Orthognathic surgery aims to restore occlusal function and facial harmony. However, skeletal correction does not guarantee adequate aesthetic balance, particularly in the midfacial region. This technical note describes a surgical modification that incorporates the repositioning of the buccal fat pad (Bichat fat pad) during orthognathic surgery, with the goal of improving facial projection and volume without the need for autologous grafts or synthetic fillers. The proposed technique provides a biologically compatible volume enhancement, with minimal morbidity and stable results.

Original language	English
Article number	10.1097/SCS.0000000000012400
Journal	Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
Volume	Publish Ahead of Print
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0000000000012400
State	Published - 20 Jan 2026
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2026 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD

Keywords

Buccal fat pad
facial aesthetic
orthognathic surgery

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10.1097/SCS.0000000000012400

Cite this

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title = "Midface Volume Augmentation Through Buccal Fat Pad Repositioning in Orthognathic Surgery: Technical Report",

abstract = "Orthognathic surgery aims to restore occlusal function and facial harmony. However, skeletal correction does not guarantee adequate aesthetic balance, particularly in the midfacial region. This technical note describes a surgical modification that incorporates the repositioning of the buccal fat pad (Bichat fat pad) during orthognathic surgery, with the goal of improving facial projection and volume without the need for autologous grafts or synthetic fillers. The proposed technique provides a biologically compatible volume enhancement, with minimal morbidity and stable results.",

keywords = "Buccal fat pad, facial aesthetic, orthognathic surgery",

author = "Sergio Olate and Claudio Huentequeo and Alister, \{Juan Pablo\} and Alejandro Unibazo",

note = "Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2026 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD",

year = "2026",

month = jan,

day = "20",

doi = "10.1097/SCS.0000000000012400",

language = "English",

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AU - Olate, Sergio

AU - Huentequeo, Claudio

AU - Alister, Juan Pablo

AU - Unibazo, Alejandro

PY - 2026/1/20

Y1 - 2026/1/20

N2 - Orthognathic surgery aims to restore occlusal function and facial harmony. However, skeletal correction does not guarantee adequate aesthetic balance, particularly in the midfacial region. This technical note describes a surgical modification that incorporates the repositioning of the buccal fat pad (Bichat fat pad) during orthognathic surgery, with the goal of improving facial projection and volume without the need for autologous grafts or synthetic fillers. The proposed technique provides a biologically compatible volume enhancement, with minimal morbidity and stable results.

AB - Orthognathic surgery aims to restore occlusal function and facial harmony. However, skeletal correction does not guarantee adequate aesthetic balance, particularly in the midfacial region. This technical note describes a surgical modification that incorporates the repositioning of the buccal fat pad (Bichat fat pad) during orthognathic surgery, with the goal of improving facial projection and volume without the need for autologous grafts or synthetic fillers. The proposed technique provides a biologically compatible volume enhancement, with minimal morbidity and stable results.

KW - Buccal fat pad

KW - facial aesthetic

KW - orthognathic surgery

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105036326038

U2 - 10.1097/SCS.0000000000012400

DO - 10.1097/SCS.0000000000012400

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105036326038

SN - 1049-2275

VL - Publish Ahead of Print

JO - Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

JF - Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

M1 - 10.1097/SCS.0000000000012400

ER -

Midface Volume Augmentation Through Buccal Fat Pad Repositioning in Orthognathic Surgery: Technical Report

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

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