title: A method to repair auricular defects after perichondrial cutaneous grafting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and illustrate the technique for closing the auricular bowl defect after perichondrial cutaneous grafting. The postauricular flip-flop flap is used for this purpose.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective clinical study of 354 patients using the perichondrial cutaneous graft for various reconstructions of the face and then performing the postauricular flip-flop flap procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The perichondrial cutaneous graft is a reliable, versatile graft that possesses unique properties for reconstructive surgery of the face. The postauricular flip-flop flap is our particular technique for closure of the donor site wound after using the perichondrial cutaneous graft. It is a relatively simple procedure that has predictable results. We used this technique in patients ranging in age from 7 days to 92 years and noted excellent cosmetic results and rare complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients had failure of the perichondrial cutaneous graft. Two patients had partial necrosis of the postauricular flip-flop flap. Two patients had dehiscence of the postauricular closure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The postauricular flip-flop flap is a reliable method to repair the donor site after perichondrial cutaneous grafting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, Louisiana 71130, USA. fstuck@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Fred J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Stucker
authors.forename: Kenneth W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps