One-stage reconstruction of the eye socket with vascularized temporalis muscle flap in orbital exenteration.

[AIM] Two cases of one-stage reconstruction of exenterated orbit with vascularized temporalis muscle flap in oncological patients are presented. The anatomical characteristics of the temporalis muscle flap and the choice of one-stage or delayed reconstruction of the exenterated orbit are discussed.

[METHODS] Two patients were operated for malignancy recurrence during the period May-November 2000. One patient suffered recurrent squamous cell carcinoma in the left nasolabial region that infiltrated the lower eyelid and periorbit. The other patient had recurrence of previously operated primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the orbit. Both patients underwent orbital exenteration. In the first patient it supplemented the tumor excision and partial maxillary excision resulting in large orbitomaxillary defect communicating with the nasal meatuses.

[RESULTS] In both patients good filling effect and isolation of the orbit from the neighbouring nasal meatuses and cranial cavity were obtained using vascularized temporalis muscle flap.

[CONCLUSION] The vascularized muscle flap appears a reliable technique and method of choice in one-stage as well as in delayed reconstruction in orbital exenteration.