Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Split temporalis muscle flap anatomy, vascularization and clinical applications

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

For more than a century, the temporalis muscle has been used for facial reconstructions. More recently, a split temporalis muscle flap elevated on the superficial temporal pedicle has been described, for which the resulting gain of length makes crossing of the midline possible, as well as reconstruction of substance losses exceeding the midline.

Materials and methods

Fourteen fresh cadaveric dissections were performed to study the different techniques for splitting the temporalis muscle. Dissections with catheterization and injection of radio-opaque contrasting agent in the external carotid artery were then performed to specify the vascularization of the flap split on the superficial temporal pedicle.

Results

The duplication of the superficial temporal pedicle grants greater length compared to that of the deep pedicles, 57 mm versus 40 (p = 0.036). The middle temporal artery is capable of ensuring the vascularization, and therefore the viability, of the split flap. From these results, we spoke about the limitations of this study and we have inferred the main indications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ahmed Djae K, Li Z, Li ZB (2001) Temporalis muscle flap for immediate reconstruction of maxillary defects: review of 39 cases. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 40:715–721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Atabey A, Vayvada H, Menderes A, Kirisoglu U, Barutcu A (1997) A combined reversetemporalis muscle flap and pericranial flap for reconstruction of an anterior cranial base defect: a case report. Ann Plast Surg 39:190–192

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bénateau H, Labbé D, Elissalde JM, Salamé E (2001) Étude anatomique de la lame tendineuse d’insertion du muscle temporal. Intérêt dans la myoplastie d’allongement du temporal. Ann Chir Plast Esth 46:611–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Benazzou S, Arkha Y, Boulaadas M, Essakalli L, Kzadri M (2011) Orbital exenteration. Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac 112:69–74

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Chen CT, Robinson JB Jr, Rohrich RJ, Ansari M (1999) The blood supply of the reverse temporalis muscle flap: anatomic study and clinical implications. Plast Reconstr Surg 103:1181–1188

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Clauser L, Curioni C, Spanio S (1995) The use of the temporalis muscle flap in facial and craniofacial reconstructive surgery: a review of 182 cases. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 23:203–214

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Golovine SS (1898) Procédé de clôture plastique de l’orbite après exentération. Arch Ophtalmol 18:679

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kim YO, Park BY (1995) Reverse temporalis muscle flap: treatment of large anterior cranial base defect with direct intracranial-nasopharyngeal communication. Plast Reconstr Surg 96:576–584

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Maegawa J, Saijo M, Ogino H, Yamamoto I (1999) Reverse U-shaped split temporalis musculofascial flap in cranial base reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg 42:644–650

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Menderes A, Yilmaz M, Vayvada H, Demirdover C, Barutçu A (2002) Reverse temporalis muscle flap for the reconstruction of orbital exenteration defects. Ann Plast Surg 48:521–526

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Nakajima H, Imanishi N, Minabe T (1995) The arterial anatomy of the temporal region and the vascular basis of various temporal flaps. Br J Plast Surg 48:439–450

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Pinar YA, Govsa F (2006) Anatomy of the superficial temporal artery and its branches: its importance for surgery. Surg Radiol Anat 28:248–253

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Smith JE, Ducic Y, Adelson R (2005) The utility of the temporalis muscle flap for oropharyngeal, base of tongue, and nasopharyngeal reconstruction. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 132:373–380

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Taher AA (1997) Reverse temporalis muscle flap: treatment of large anterior cranial base defect with direct intracranial nasopharyngeal communication. Plast Reconstr Surg 99:264–265

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Maxillo-facial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Caen, Caen, 14000, France

    A. Veyssiere, N. Leprovost, A. Caillot, D. Labbé & H. Benateau

  2. Department of Anatomy, University Hospital of Caen, Caen, 14000, France

    J. Rod

  3. Department of Anatomy, University Clinic of St Luc., Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, 1200, Belgium

    A. Gerdom & B. Lengelé

Authors
  1. A. Veyssiere
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Rod
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. N. Leprovost
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Caillot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. D. Labbé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. Gerdom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. B. Lengelé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. H. Benateau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Veyssiere.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Veyssiere, A., Rod, J., Leprovost, N. et al. Split temporalis muscle flap anatomy, vascularization and clinical applications. Surg Radiol Anat 35, 573–578 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1078-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1078-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation