Reconstruction of the palate using a vascularized bare muscle flap following total maxillectomy: A case report

Abstract

Reconstruction following total or subtotal maxillectomy requires specialized techniques, and it is still a challenge for surgeons. This case report describes a 55-year-old male patient with maxillary cancer. He underwent right total maxillectomy and left partial maxillectomy. He underwent reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi free flap combined with a vascularized scapula angle. For palatal reconstruction, we used a bare muscle flap following rigid bony reconstruction. The reconstructed palate became contracted and covered with mucosa gradually and resulted in a physiologically satisfying contour. The histological features of the reconstructed site revealed normal stratified squamous epithelium. The bare muscle flap is considered the preferred method for palatal reconstruction following total or subtotal maxillectomy.

Keywords

• Bare muscle flap
• palatal reconstruction
• epithelization
• palatal contour