Temporalis muscle flap for craniofacial reconstruction after tumor resection

Temporalis muscle flap provides a good solution for the reconstruction of c raniofacial defects after tumor resection. Nine patients with complicated d efects located at the upper two thirds of the face, anterior cranial base, or mastoid region are presented. Five patients had orbital exenteration, tw o with total maxillectomy and two with anterior craniofacial resection. Tem poralis muscle flap provided profuse well-vascularized tissue for the oblit eration of orbital exenteration and total maxillectomy cavities and coverag e of surface defects. Cranial, oral, and nasal spaces were separated succes sfully in all patients. Temporalis muscle flap is a very reliable technique with low complication rates and few donor site problems. This safe and tec hnically easy flap can be preferred for the reconstruction of craniofacial defects after ablative tumor surgery, especially in older and debilitated p atients.