The temporalis muscle flap for reconstruction of soft palate and lateral oropharyngeal wall after transoral robotic surgery

Abstract

Trans Oral robotic surgery (TORS) is a prominent surgical approach for the resection of oropharyngeal tumors without division of the lip and mandible. The current practice following TORS is to allow the defect to heal by secondary intention, but some defects following TORS are large and complex enough to benefit soft-tissue coverage. In the free flap era, regional flaps are often overlooked albeit they still represent a valid alternative. In terms of cost-effectiveness, the use of alternative pedicled flaps in TORS framework probably reduced the risks of postoperative complications, with consequent expenditure restraints and reducing treatment costs arising from operating room duration and double surgical team. In this report we described the successfully use of the pedicled temporalis muscle flap for the reconstruction of the soft palate and lateral pharyngeal wall following TORS. This versatile and reliable flap may be a valid option in TORS framework.

Keywords: Cancer; Flap; Palate; Reconstruction; Transoral robotic surgery.