Modified Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty Using an Intraoral Approach.

BACKGROUND: Lengthening temporalis myoplasty (LTM) is a unique and definite facial reanimation procedure that involves inserting the whole temporal tendon directly into the nasolabial fold. However, the nasolabial fold incision remains one of the difficulties of this procedure, particularly in young or female patient. To avoid the need for this incision, the authors developed an intraoral approach to manipulate the temporal muscle tendon toward the nasolabial fold. in this study, we describe the details of this procedure. METHOD: The authors performed their intraoral approach procedure in 5 patients with established complete facial paralysis. instead of making an incision at the nasolabial fold to approach the coronoid process, the authors made the incision at the buccal mucosa. The results were evaluated both subjectively and objectively. RESULTS: The authors achieved facial reanimation without leaving any obvious scar on the face or neck and the effect of static reconstruction is obvious, even immediately after the surgery. All the patients obtained good facial movement within 4 months (2.5 months in average), and improved all evaluated parameters postoperatively. No infections or other major complications were reported following surgery; however, 1 patient developed a slight dimple that required revision. DISCUSSION: The authors could advance temporal tendon toward nasolabial fold firmly obtaining sufficient surgical field similar to that of nasolabial fold incision, and achieved fairly good results without an obvious scar on the face.Establishing LTM without nasolabial fold incision, we could expand the indication of LTM more widely, and it could be more familiar procedure for smile reanimation in all generation.

Sliding Flap for the Wide Upper Eyelid Margin Defect After Cancer Removal.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of eyelid margin defects following resection of upper-eyelid skin malignancies is typically performed using a lower eyelid switch flap, including eyelash reconstruction. However, a subsequent procedure for flap separation, and prolonged swelling of the flap may occur as a complication. OBJECTIVE: The authors performed anterior lamellar reconstruction using a sliding flap with excess upper eyelid skin, a procedure that is a less invasive and simpler. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed anterior lamellar reconstruction using a sliding flap in 7 patients with full-thickness upper eyelid margin defect after skin cancer resection. The mean age of the patients was 76.0 years. The horizontal width of the defect in our cohort ranged from 11 to 25 mm and the vertical width ranged from 5 to 10 mm. RESULTS: All the flaps and mucosal grafts were well taken, and none of the patients complained of lack of eyelash reconstruction. However, eyelid margin irregularity, possibly due to flap or mucosal graft contraction, was observed in 2 patients, and 1 patient developed keratoconjunctivitis. CONCLUSIONS: The sliding flap technique is a minimally invasive and simple procedure for wide eyelid margin reconstruction. However, 2 patients developed eyelid margin irregularities and 1 patient developed keratoconjunctivitis. Those complications might have occurred owing to the condition of posterior lamellar reconstruction. Therefore, for the successful use of a sliding flap for anterior lamellar reconstruction, the form of the eyelid edge and the choice of posterior lamellar reconstruction are key considerations. In future, we plan to establish a better reconstructive technique by accumulating more evidence.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Developed from the Parotid Gland to the Ear Lobe of a Young Woman.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a relatively rare malignant tumor. It is more common in women than in men and typically develops in the lacrimal, salivary, and breast glands. ACC of the external auditory canal (EAC) is exceedingly rare, and its invasion into the ear lobe is even more unusual. In this report, we present a case of ACC that presented as a mass on the surface of the ear lobe in a 28-year-old woman and was initially diagnosed as infected atheroma. For wide resection of the tumor, half of the entire auricula was resected and superficial parotidectomy was performed. After confirming no tumor cells on the surface of the facial nerve, the defect was reconstructed by the combination of platysma muscle flap to prevent Frey syndrome and free forearm flap for the ear lobe form. There was no recurrence or metastasis of the tumor, and Frey syndrome did not occur at 2 years and 8 months after surgery. The patient was satisfied with the result, oncologically and cosmetically. Even in young patients, comprehensive treatments (including diagnosis, resection, and reconstruction) are important in painful ear lobe masses.