Can More Be Done For Head Narrowing Than Temporal Muscle Removal?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello,I had a procedure done at your office a few years back on maker my head smaller that required removing the temporal muscle.would it be worth my while to do the bone burning on the sides of the skull to make it even smaller?as it is still larger than normal.

A:The greatest yield in head narrowing surgery is from removal of the temporal muscle. The convex part of the temporal bone is very thin (less than 5mms) so bone burring usually has a very minimal effect…which is why it is rarely done. The other issue with temporal bone reduction is access. Unlike temporal muscle removal which is done from a hidden incision behind the ear, temporal bone reduction requires an incision that runs up along the sides of the head in a more visible location. Thus between the limited improvement and the scar temporal bone reduction is only done in exceptional circumstances. (the patient who is willing to do everything possible regardless of the scar tradeoff)

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon