Temporalis myofascial flap in maxillofacial reconstruction: clinical and histological studies of the oral healing process.
OBJECTIVE
To report our experience with temporalis myofascial flaps (TMF), describe the healing process of uncovered flaps in the mouth, and the histology of the repaired mucosa in the long term.


METHODS
Prospective clinical and histological study.


METHODS
36 patients who received a TMF over a 6.5 year period for serial assessment of the oral healing, 24 patients whose scars over the reconstructed area were assessed clinically, and 11 whose repaired mucosa was assessed histologically.


METHODS
To follow the clinical process of oral healing of the TMF and describe the repaired mucosa healed over the flap.


RESULTS
The uncovered TMF in the mouth healed gradually starting with an acute inflammatory phase, going through chronic inflammatory and proliferative phases with eventual epithelialisation of the oral mucosa. There were no major complications. The healed mucosa showed mild scarring in 70% of cases and the repaired mucosa had characteristic histological features that were distinct from the normal mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
The TMF is an extremely reliable and versatile flap for maxillofacial reconstruction which heals gradually with eventual coverage by mildly scarred repaired mucosa.
Cheung
L K
LK
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Samman
N
N
Tideman
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000637:transplantation*; D014945:Wound Healing