Sling suspension using the anterior third of the temporalis muscle extended with tendon graft to correct oral incontinence after free flap reconstruction in cases of a major defect of the lower lip muscle

• Published in: Head & neck Vol. 38; no. 5; pp. 683 - 688
• Main Authors: Huang, Tsung-Chun, Li, Tzong-Shiun, Weng, Hui-ching, Liu, Ka-Wai, Pedro, Ciudad, Yeo, Matthew Sze-Wei, Chen, Hung-Chi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Free Tissue Flaps; Humans; Lip - surgery; major defect of lower lip muscle; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms - surgery; oral incontinence; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - adverse effects; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; sling suspension; Temporal Muscle - surgery; temporalis muscle; tendon graft; Tendons - transplantation; sling suspension; temporalis muscle; major defect of lower lip muscle; tendon graft; oral incontinence
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.23948

ABSTRACT Background Oral incontinence is a common complication after free flap reconstruction after ablation of oral cancers. The postoperative incontinence was corrected with strong suspension to the temporalis muscle in cases of major or total defect of lower lip muscles. Methods Eight patients with oral cancer with previous skin flaps for reconstruction of the lower lip had incontinence because of major or total loss of the lower lip muscle. A tendon graft was used as a suspension sling sutured to the anterior third of the bilateral temporalis muscle. Results Oral continence without drooling was achieved by suspension of the temporalis muscle with free movement of the lower lip. Conclusion This is a good option for correcting the incontinence after major or total loss of lower lip muscles in patients with oral cancer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 683–688, 2016