Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Orbital Fractures
Published on: May 16, 2025
Orbital exenteration reconstruction using a superficial temporalis muscle flap: The "Carpaccio flap", an innovative
V Sounthakith1, F Kolb2, A Bennedjai3
1Unit of Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, Reference Center for Cleft and Facial Malformation, Necker Children Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; Faculty of Health, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
Introduction:
Malignant orbital diseases may lead surgeons to practice an orbital exenteration associated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to ensure curative treatment. That radical procedure makes physicians consider reconstructive filling in order to allow prothesis wearing and reduce esthetic and social after-effects. We first describe the clinical case of a 6-year-old patient who presented an orbital rhabdomyosarcoma and underwent an orbital exenteration with immediate reconstruction by a superficial temporal pedicled on the middle temporalis muscle flap.
Technical Note:
Through that case-report, we propose an original temporal flap to repair ipsilateral midface defects which may reduce donor site side effects and allow furthers corrections.
Discussion:
In pediatrics cases, our Carpaccio flap was an available regional tool to rehabilitate an irradiated orbital socket with an appropriate bulking and vascularization effect after subtotal exenteration. Furthermore, we prescribe that flap as a posterior orbital filling, when eyelid and conjunctiva are spared, to prepare orbital prosthesis implementation. A mild sunken temporal fossa appears with our procedure but by preserving the deep layer of the temporalis muscle, autologous reconstruction such as lipofilling are permitted in post-radiotherapy condition to enhance esthetic sequelae.
