Myoplasty

Myoplasty is a surgical technique used to repair or reconstruct muscle tissue by suturing muscle fibers and restoring continuity or function. The procedure may involve direct closure of a muscle defect, transposition or anchoring of muscle to adjacent tissues, or incorporation of a muscle flap or graft. Myoplasty is applied across reconstructive disciplines, including plastic, orthopedic, and maxillofacial surgery, and is distinct from other muscle procedures such as myodesis and myorrhaphy.

Indications include trauma with partial or complete muscle loss, congenital or acquired deformities affecting muscle function, and functional restoration after nerve injury or tumor resection. In facial reanimation, myoplasty may reconnect or substitute for damaged muscles to restore expressions or eyelid closure. In the extremities, it can reconstitute weakened or absent muscle function by suturing remaining tissue to neighboring muscles or constructing muscle flaps.

Techniques vary; commonly the surgeon mobilizes healthy muscle margins, debrides nonviable tissue, and approximates muscle edges with sutures. When direct repair is not possible, donor muscles or regional muscle flaps may be transposed or grafted, sometimes with fascia or tendon reinforcement. The goal is to restore contractile function while minimizing tension and preserving vascularity. Postoperative immobilization and rehabilitation are critical.

Outcomes depend on tissue viability and nerve supply; results may improve as reinnervation occurs. Potential complications include infection, hematoma, scar formation, muscle weakness or contracture, and failure of the repair requiring revision. Myoplasty is often one component of a broader reconstructive plan.