title: [Eyelid reconstruction with a reversal flow axial preauricular island flap based on the supraorbital artery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to find an ideal flap to reconstruct the eyelid defect, we have explored the possibilities to reconstruct eyelid with a reversal flow axial preauricular island flap based on the supraorbital artery.
  
  
  METHODS
  According to Chen's theory on "reversal flow axial flap", we designed and applied the reversal flow axial preauricular island flap based on the supraorbital artery, which could nourish the flap by anastomotic branches between the supraorbital artery and the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have successfully reconstructed 7 cases of eyelid defect with this method since 1997. The size of the flaps ranged from 4.0 cm x 2.4 cm to 2.0 cm x 1.8 cm and good result were revealed with 1-2 years follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The flap has a stable and reliable blood supplying. It is an ideal flap to reconstruct the eyelid defect for texture and color similarity of the eyelid and preauricular skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Tong-Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005546:Forehead / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*