[Closing of central palate defects using a temporal muscle flap].

Large defects of the maxilla are hard to repair. In spite of the prosthesis that covers the defect, patients complain of loss of fluid through the nose when they drink or take liquid food. In five patients the maxillary defect was successfully closed by transposing the anterior part of the temporal muscle or the entire temporal muscle. The donor site was covered by transposing the posterior part of the temporal muscle or by an implant.