[Split temporalis muscle flap vascularized by the superficial temporal pedicle]

The temporalis muscle has been used for more than a century for facial reconstruction. But this flap cannot fill defects beyond the midline. Splitting the temporalis muscle in the plane of the tendon insertion allows lengthening the flap and crossing the midline.

The scalp incision is followed by a subcutaneous dissection, taking care to spare hair follicles and superficial temporal vessels. Then the temporalis muscle is detached by a strictly subperiosteal dissection and deep temporal pedicles are dissected and ligated. The flap is split in the plane of the insertion tendon up to its distal end.

This technique allows reconstructing cranio-facial defect beyond the midline with well-vascularized tissue.