THE EPITHELIALIZATION PROCESS IN THE HEALING TEMPORALIS MYOFASCIAL FLAP IN ORAL RECONSTRUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively the epitheliali zation process in the healing temporalis myofascial flap (TMF). Eight cats underwent maxillectomy and immediate reconstruction with TMF. The y were killed at the determined time and the reconstructed maxillae we re processed for examination by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results revealed that epithelialization of the healing TM F was initiated by hyperplastic changes followed by active migration o f epithelial cells deriving from the wound margins. The partial maxill ectomy wound was completely covered by a smooth oral mucosa at postope rative week 24. The mucosa had histological and ultrastructural featur es different from normal palatal mucosa.