Single-stage socket reconstruction with vascularised temporalis muscle flap following total orbital exenteration: Description of 3 surgical approaches.

We describe the techniques and outcome of three different approaches to transfer the posterior 2/3 temporalis muscle pedicle flap for orbital socket reconstruction following total orbital exenteration. A retrospective interventional series of 9 patients operated between February of 2000 and 2006. We describe three different techniques, namely supraorbital, transorbital and transorbitectomy approach. All patients were followed for minimum of 3 years and muscle trophism with periorbital contour was clinically studied for outcome. There were 6 males and 3 females with a mean age of 42 years. Three patients each underwent the three mentioned approaches of socket reconstruction following total orbital exenteration performed mainly for oculo-adenexal malignancies with orbital extension (77.78%). Intraoperative, tumor-free histopathological margins were ensured. Postoperatively, bulky lateral orbital rim was noticed in all 3 patients of supraorbital approach, while progressive temporalis flap atrophy was noticed in all with transorbital approach over a period of 6 months. No such complications were observed in transorbitectomy approach and reasonably good periorbital cosmetic appearance with optimum preservation of muscle trophism was obtained. The mean follow-up period was 7 years. Temporalis muscle flap provides adequate orbital volume restoration in an exenterated socket. It also helps in better skin graft uptake, socket health and appearance. The transorbitectomy approach appeared as a reliable one stage surgical technique with reasonably acceptable anatomical and cosmetic outcome over a long-term follow-up. The choice of posterior portion of temporalis muscle as a flap offers satisfactory temporal fossa appearance.