The healing process of the temporalis myofascial flap in oral reconstruction

From a prospective study of 36 patients having had temporalis myofascial flap (mean follow-up 32 months), the clinical oral healing process and the histological characteristics of the repaired mucosa were investigated. Among this group, 24 patients were assessed of the clinical scarring over the reconstructed area and 11 patients for histological evaluation of the repaired mucosa. Result showed that the uncovered temporalis myofascial flap in the mouth underwent a consistent healing commencing with an acute inflammatory phase, through chronic inflammatory and proliferative phases to eventual epithelialization by oral mucosa. No major complications affecting the healing flap were noted. The healed mucosa exhibited scarring in 70% of cases and the repaired mucosa demonstrated histological features distinct from the normal mucosa.link_to_subscribed_fulltex