Temporalis muscle flap for reconstruction of skull base defects.
BACKGROUND
The temporalis muscle flap (TMF) is a valuable reconstructive technique utilized in a variety of challenging defects. However, its use for repair of skull base defects is less commonly reported.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted for 35 patients who underwent reconstruction of skull base defects between March 1999 and July 2006 at a tertiary referral hospital. Patients with skull base defects after trauma or extirpative surgery underwent reconstruction with a TMF. The measured outcomes were as follows: defect size/location, need for additional flaps, bone necrosis, hardware exposure, dehiscence, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and meningitis.


RESULTS
Forty-two patients underwent reconstruction with a TMF, and 35/42 patient records were available for review. No flap failures, 1 transient CSF leak, 3 hardware exposures distant from the temporalis recipient site, and 3 hydroxyapatite cement infections or foreign body reaction were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The TMF represents a versatile reconstructive technique employed with minimal morbidity and a low complication rate to repair defects of the skull base.
Smith
Jesse E
JE
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Ducic
Yadranko
Y
Adelson
Robert T
RT
D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019291:Skull Base / Q000601:surgery*; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000601:surgery*