Purpose. This paper discusses assisting deglutition and articulation through the use of temporal muscle to lift the reconstructed flap of the tongue and pharynx, and to contract with the circumference muscle as alliance motility.
Patients. The cases (1995-2002) were 13 malignant head and neck tumors (oral cavity, eight; middle pharynx, five; free flap, nine; musculo-cutaneous flap, four), unilateral and bilateral were seven and six, respectively.
Method. The resection and reconstruction area were less than half of the persistence, including the base of tongue for tongue, and exceeding mid-line in the soft palate. Temporal fascia muscle of 2-3 cm was elevated and penetrated by way of the deep part of zygomatic arch to lateral part of the pharyngeal wall, and was fixed in the flap. The temporal region wound was approximated for the initial stage.
Results. Postoperative complications were: infection in the temporal region, four cases; broad necrosis of the flap, three cases ; and partial necrosis, one case.
Conclusion. Only insufficient motility was confirmed in temporal muscle transfer. As for the static reconstruction, it may have prevented ptosis of the flap.
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