Pedro Tapia Contreras; Marcelo Sarzosa Enrriquez; Gustavo Matus-Miranda; Pablo Pizzi Lazo; Sofía Díaz Abarza & Florencia Jollán Peña
Summary
Buccal mucosal grafts are versatile in medical practice, documented minimally despite potential in otolaryngology, ophthalmology, dermatology, plastic surgery and urology. They offer advantages such as being hairless, easily obtained, and infection-resistant, with a thin, highly vascularized epithelial layer aiding absorption and reducing contracture risk. Complications from oral donor sites, like pain and sensory changes, are known, relevant in conditions such as Fournier's gangrene, necessitating urgent surgical intervention and often reconstruction. We present a case report of a 45-year-old male with Fournier's gangrene treated jointly by urology and maxillofacial surgery. Buccal mucosal grafts were harvested from the inner cheek mucosa for simultaneous urethral reconstruction. The procedure preserved the parotid duct, obtaining a graft comprising mucosal, submucosal, and glandular tissues, applied to the urethral defect with bovine dermis coverage. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with successful catheter removal in 2 weeks and complete donor site healing in 6 months. Buccal mucosal grafts prove effective in complex reconstruction, offering structural integrity and minimal morbidity. Despite challenges like graft contraction and limited tissue availability in severe cases, buccal mucosal grafts are favored for reliability and patient satisfaction in reconstructive needs, notably urethral reconstruction. The evidence shows a high success rate in most of the uses of buccal mucosal grafts, so it is recommended as an effective and safe graft for extraoral reconstructions, particularly urethral reconstruction, where the Maxillofacial Surgeon is part of the interdisciplinary team. Awareness of potential complications and procedural limitations ensures optimal outcomes and patient care.
KEY WORDS: mouth mucosa/transplantation, surgical flaps, transplantation, autologous, Fournier gangrene, urologic surgical procedures, urethra/surgery.
How to cite this article
TAPIA, C. P.; SARZOSA, E. M.; MATUS-MIRANDA, G.; PIZZI, L. P.; DÍAZ, A. S. & JOLLÁN, P. F. Therapeutic alternatives of buccal mucosa grafting in extraoral reconstructions: a case of fournier's gangrene. Int. J. Odontostomat., 19(1):55-59, 2025.