Can Temporal Reduction Surgery Result In Weakness In Chewing or Keeping The Jaw Closed Afterwards?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Has you ever had patients post-operation suffer from weakness in chewing or keeping the jaw closed after having done the posterior and/or anterior temporalis muscle removal/reduction? 

-What sort of feeling should I expect post-operation and during the healing process when Dr Barry performs bone burring on my enlarged temporal line? 

-Just to confirm, is it the over-developed anterior section of the temporalis muscle that contributes to forehead width ? I say this cause reducing my forehead width is one of my main goals with this operation. 

-Roughly how long would it take for the major swelling to settle down post-operation and for me to comfortably go out in public ??

-Will I lose much sensation on the scalp post-operation from the coronal incision ? 

-What medication would I get prescribed with post op and is this medication available back home in Australia ? If not what’s an alternative ? 

Looking forward to hearing from you. 

A: In answer to your temporal muscle and bony temporal line skull reductions:

1) No patient has ever experienced any lower jaw motion or chewing difficulties after the surgery. When the anterior temporal muscle is manipulated there can be some temporary tenderness with wide mouth opening.

2) Skull bone has no sensroy innervation so no pain/discomfort comes from bone reductions. It is the scalp that has sensory innervation.

3) The width of the forehead is ultimately defined by the prominence of the anterior temporal line.

4) Most patients have a reasonable appearance 10 to 14 days after the surgery.

5) Postoperative pain medication can consist of either narcotics (e.g., Percocet) or potent anti-inflammatory medications. (e.g., Toradol Ketolorac) That is a patient’s choice.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana