Abstract:
Loss of the caudal maxilla and ventral orbit after tumor resections can have negative
functional and esthetic influences on the eye involved. This article reports on a case of
a caudal maxillary acanthomatous ameloblastoma involving the ventral orbit that was
resected and stabilized with a masseter muscle flap. The masseter muscle flap was
generated from the superficial belly of the masseter muscle in order to close a defect
in the orbital rim, created by a caudal maxillectomy. None of the published complications
such as enophthalmos, excessive lacrimation, globe deviation, or strabismus were
noted, 8 months following the procedure. The only clinical sign present at the time of
re-evaluation was mild lacrimation. The authors propose the use of a masseter muscle
flap as a viable technique in stabilizing the ventral orbit after caudal maxillectomy and
ventral orbitectomy, preventing the complications associated with this surgery.
