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| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 64-66 |
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Use of temporo-myofascial flap for reconstruction of maxillary defect in a case of ameloblastoma
Harshmohan Pathak1, P. R. K. Rao2, Santosh Kumar Subudhi3, Sujit Sahoo4
1 Department of Maxillo Facial Surgery, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
2 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
3 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
4 Department of Oral Pathology and Micro Biology, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
| Date of Web Publication | 29-May-2013 |
Correspondence Address:
Harshmohan Pathak
Department of Maxillo Facial Surgery, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2278-0521.112635
Maxillary ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic neoplasm. Excision should involve wide margins because of its high recurrence rate and, ideally, be followed by reconstruction. A 23-year-old female patient presented with recurrent ameloblastoma. The recurrent lesion was managed by a total maxillectomy preserving the inferior orbital rim. Reconstruction of midfacial defects after tumor resection or trauma has evolved from skin graft to pedicled flaps and more recently, to free tissue transfer. Each of these reconstructive modalities has its specific indications, advantages, and drawbacks. In our case simultaneous reconstruction was performed with a temporalis myofascial flap for obliteration of the maxillary sinus and nasal cavities. Temporalis muscle is one of the regional flaps that can be used to reconstruct midfacial defects. The muscle is available close to the surgical field and has a constant vascular supply. However, the flap has a limited arc of rotation and most of the muscle bulk is used in the pedicle. Therefore, various modifications of the surgical procedure were attempted in order to increase the arc of rotation of the flap. The temporalis muscle flap can provide a reliable, one-stage reconstructive alternative for more complicated surgical procedures for moderate-sized midfacial defects. Keywords: Ameloblastoma, maxillectomy, temporalis myofascial flap
How to cite this article:
Pathak H, Rao P, Subudhi SK, Sahoo S. Use of temporo-myofascial flap for reconstruction of maxillary defect in a case of ameloblastoma. Saudi J Health Sci 2013;2:64-6 |
How to cite this URL:
Pathak H, Rao P, Subudhi SK, Sahoo S. Use of temporo-myofascial flap for reconstruction of maxillary defect in a case of ameloblastoma. Saudi J Health Sci [serial online] 2013 [cited 2022 May 23];2:64-6. Available from: https://www.saudijhealthsci.org/text.asp?2013/2/1/64/112635 |
| Introduction | |  |
Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic neoplasm of the mandible and maxilla. [1] However, it is reported that maxillary ameloblastoma behave more aggressively and have a poorer prognosis compared with mandibular ameloblastoma. [2] The painless and slow growth of the lesion and the thin boneof the maxilla are the main factors involved in delay in recognizing a maxillary ameloblastoma. [3] Conservative treatment of ameloblastoma usually results in recurrence and possible malignant transformation. [4] Radical excision of the tumor followed by adequate reconstruction can improve survival and provide more satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. [5] However, reconstruction of multifaceted maxillary defects is a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon, as it requires provision of adequate anatomical structural support to separate the oral and nasal cavities, and to obliterate the dead space in the maxillary sinus. Here we report on a recurrent maxillary ameloblastoma that was successfully treated with radical excision and simultaneous reconstruction using temporo-myofascial flap for the maxillary antrum, oral, and nasal cavities.
| Case Report | | |
A 23-year-old female patient presented with a right upper molar gingival swelling that had been present for several months. She noted unusual loosening of her right first upper molar tooth, which was extracted by a local dentist. However, the wound did not heal and she was eventually referred to a surgeon. Under general anesthesia, the patient underwent curettage via an intraoral approach. After surgery, the final histopathology showed plexiform ameloblastoma. The wound remained unhealed with a persistent oro-antral fistula, which was managed by secondary closure. The patient then remained symptom-free for 2 years. However, due to persistent right facial swelling and numbness, the patient reported to us. After clinical examination revealed a mass about 6 × 5 cm in size in the left upper alveolarregion and an incisional biopsy was performed. The pathology report cited ameloblastoma of maxilla. A computed tomography (CT) scan was requested, which revealed a space-occupying lesion in the maxillary sinus involving the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus and nose [Figure 1] and [Figure 2], but orbit was spared. A recurrent ameloblastoma was suspected and radical excision of the lesion was planned.
Intraoperative evaluation
The patient underwent a total maxillectomy via a Weber-Ferguson incision with preservation of the orbit. The patient was taken for primary reconstruction of maxillary defects with a temporalis myofascial flap.
Surgical technique
The temporalis muscle was exposed through a coronal incision. The technique of flap elevation and transposition is the same as described by Cordeiro and Wolfe. [6] The zygomatic arch and the coronoid process [Figure 3] were divided as the flap was used to cover maxillectomy defects. The two laminas of the deep temporal fascia were separated from the zygomatic arch up to the area of fusion. Attachment of the deep temporal fascia to the muscle was reinforced by few absorbable sutures, and the muscle is covered with a skin graft [Figure 4]. The temporalis muscle is then used to reconstruct the oral cavity. The entire muscle is rotated into the infratemporal region, on to the size of the palatal defect. Deep sutures are used to secure the flap, and resorbable sutures are placed intraorally to oppose the flap and the remaining palatal mucosa. Any remaining posterior temporalis muscle is secured to the lateral orbital rim to fill the temporal fossa. The scalp incision is closed.
| Discussion | | |
Maxillary ameloblastoma is an aggressive benign tumor. Rapid growth of the tumor is not unusual due to its closeness to the maxillary sinus. However, the patient may not notice the mass until it has eaten away the bone. Although histologically benign, recurrence rate is high. Occasionally it transforms into ameloblastic carcinoma and metastasizes to distant organs, most commonly the lungs. [7] Repeated surgical treatment has a potential of spreading lesions to the base of the skull, which can be fatal. Therefore, radical resection of the tumor at the first surgery is important to achieve a complete cure. Due to the high recurrence rate of maxillary ameloblastoma, some authors suggest using only an obturator for the defect left after tumor resection in order to retain a better view of the site. [8] There is still a great deal of controversy regarding the primary reconstruction of maxillectomy defects. Maxillectomy defects reconstructed with a vascularized iliac crest bone graft with internal oblique muscle pedicle from the deep circumflex iliac artery can have up to a 38% mortality following grafting mainly due to recurrent disease. This is because once the patient has been grafted and oral cavity is sealed from the resection cavity, it is extremely difficult to detect the recurrence.
However, the obturator cannot replace all deficiencies in the maxillary bone, and this can result in mid-facial depression. Furthermore, the poor stability of a palatal obturator, due to lack of soft and hard tissue support and anchorage, will be a problem for the patient in daily life. For a young female patient, reconstruction, which takes into consideration concerns of both function and appearance, is important. A one-stage complete reconstruction after radical excision, if possible, is the ideal approach.
A large variety of techniques are available for reconstruction of midfacial defects. Each technique has its advantages and limitations. Traditional reconstruction included skin grafting and placement of a prosthesis for maxillary defect, and spontaneous granulation or epithelialization of orbital exenteration defect. However, the healing time is prolonged, the cosmetic outcome is poor, and there is a possibility of developing a fistula between the oral cavity or the orbit and the nasal cavity or the paranasal sinuses.
There are several methods that can be used to reconstruct the maxilla defect after excision of the tumor, which include a prosthetic obturator and temporalis myofascial flap. Myocutaneous-free flaps, with or without an osseous component, have also been described to reconstruct the palate. [9] Use of the temporalis myofascial rotational flap has allowed expeditious treatment and rapid return of function, thereby maximizing the quality of life for the patient and minimizing the functional and cosmetic deficits. [10],[11]
Temporalis muscle is one of the regional flaps that have been used in facial reconstruction. It has a constant vascular supply from the deep temporal and the middle temporal vessels that are located on the deep surface of muscle. [12] The temporalis muscle can be split safely in the coronal plane, since the blood supply travels in the same direction. [13]
Temporalis muscle flap has been criticized because of its short arc of rotation. This is why the flap can cover only moderate-sized defects, measuring 4-8 cm in the greatest dimension. [14] It cannot reach the mid line and most of the muscle bulk is used in the pedicle. [15]
| Conclusions | | |
The flap is reliable as long as its vascular supply is preserved and the operative time is short compared with free-tissue transfer. Its dimensions and arc of rotation may be increased by using temporalis muscle and deep temporal fascia myofascial unit. Temporalis muscle flap should be taken into consideration before deciding on more extensive reconstructive procedures especially for moderate defects.
| References | | |
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]
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