The versatility of temporalis myofascial flap in maxillo-facial reconstruction: a clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: This clinical study was conducted in the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, at our institute, to study the versatility of temporalis myofascial flap in maxillofacial reconstruction.

METHODS: The study group comprised of 20 patients, both male and female patients between the age group of 6 years and 60 years underwent surgery under general anesthesia and temporalis myofascial flap was used for reconstruction of various types of maxillofacial defects including maxillectomy defects arising as a result of ablative surgery for tumors and treatment of aggressive cysts, as an interposing material in TMJ ankylosis surgery and facial reanimation in cases of long standing facial nerve paralysis. Following surgery the cases were evaluated for clinical parameters weekly for first post-operative month followed by monthly review for a minimum period of one and maximum of three years from January 2003 to June 2006.

RESULTS: Temporalis myofascial flap fared well in 16 out of 20 cases (80%), in remaining four cases (20%) three reported back with reankylosis, and in one case of facial reanimation flap breakdown occurred due to infection leading to failure of the procedure.

CONCLUSION: The temporalis myofascial flap is a versatile option for reconstruction of moderate to large sized maxillofacial defects, the muscle can provide abundant viable and vascular tissue, with minimal to no functional morbidity or esthetic deformity at the donor site.