AN ANIMAL-MODEL FOR MAXILLARY RECONSTRUCTION USING A TEMPORALIS MUSCLE FLAP

Purpose: This article describes the feasibility of using the temporali s muscle flap to cover a defect after maxillectomy in cats and to eval uate the clinical healing process of this flap in the oral environment . Materials and Methods: The material consisted of 30 cats of the Feli s catus species, A standardized unilateral maxillectomy was performed and the resulting defect immediately closed with a pedicled temporalis flap, The healing of this flap was clinically assessed at determined intervals. Results: Healing of the temporalis flap in the oral environ ment of cats progressed from an inflammatory to a proliferative phase, with eventual coverage by a smooth oral mucosa 18 to 24 weeks after s urgery. Conclusions: The cat proved to be a useful model for this type of study.