[Possible indications for temporalis muscle flaps in plastic-reconstructive surgery of the head and neck]

In reconstructive plastic surgery, the temporalis muscle has proven to be a reliable and versatile flap for a wide field of indications. The temporalis muscle is a flat, fanshaped muscle with a generous blood supply and innervation from the trigeminal nerve.

Based on our own experiences in a total of 25 cases (12 cases involving muscle transposition for mouth reanimation, six cases involving stabilisation of a duraplasty including protecting the internal carotid artery in one case, four cases involving reconstruction of the orbital floor or the base of the skull, and three cases involving recontouring the lateral face) and a review of the literature we give an up-to-date overview of the different indications for the temporalis muscle flap. These include: a) treatment of facial nerve paralysis, b) recontouring of the lateral face, c) reconstruction of skull base, orbita, and oropharynx, d) stabilization of duraplasty, e) protection of internal carotid artery, f) in temporomandibular joint surgery, and g) for obliteration in ear surgery.

Because of the wide range of indications, the temporalis muscle flap remains a versatile and important tool in plastic reconstructive surgery.