title: Temporalis myofascial flap in maxillary reconstruction: anatomical study and clinical application.
abstract: The authors describe indications and advantages of temporalis myofascial flap in the reconstruction of surgical defects after partial maxillectomies. This flap is thin and reliable and can be used as an alternative to free flap tissue transfer in the reconstruction of partial defects of the upper maxilla. The surgical steps to raise the flap are simple, but the dissection must be careful to avoid damages to the fronto-temporal branches of the facial nerve on the outer surface, and to the feeding vessels on the inner surface of the temporal muscle. In the present series no major surgical complications were observed. No injuries to the facial nerve branches were reported. Neither total nor partial flap losses were experienced. Post-operative aesthetic and functional results were satisfying. Temporalis muscle flap can be considered as a first-line reconstructive option for limited resection of the upper maxilla with sparing of the orbital floor and of the anterior alveolar crest.
authors.affiliation: Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Iacopo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dallan
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lenzi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sellari-Franceschini
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tschabitscher
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muscatello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*