Reconstruction of the anterior surface of the ear using a postauricular pull-through neurovascular island flap.
The auricular conchal cavity is a shallow structure in the central part of the ear. It is not only 3-dimensional, but it is a gateway to the external ear canal. Many methods have been described for reconstruction of the defect of concha-antihelix: split- or full-thickness skin grafts, regional skin, chondrocutaneous and musculocutaneous flaps, but none of the authors have described this flap with neurovascular pedicle. We used postauricular neurovascular pedicle island flap for conchal and periconchal areas of anterior surface of the external ear because it matches to the skin color, thickness and texture; scars are well hidden, and there is no donor-site morbidity. Moreover, it has a constant and reliable neurovascular pedicle. The flap edema which was present in the early postoperative period began to resolve gradually after 3 weeks and disappeared in a few months. The esthetic results were excellent in all of the patients and very satisfying for the patients, too. The sensibility was positive by light touch, pin-prick, temperature and static 2-point discrimination in the postoperative control. The static 2-point discriminations in the transferred flap and in the other ear, which corresponds to the same area, were measured. The results were nearly the same as normal values. We advocate postauricular neurovascular pedicle island flap for conchal and periconchal areas of anterior surface of the external ear because it matches the skin color, thickness and texture; scars are well hidden, and there is no donor site morbidity. Moreover, it has a constant and reliable neurovascular pedicle.
Turan
Aydin
A
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic, Vakif Gureba Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. aturanprs@yahoo.com
Turkaslan
Tayfun
T
Kul
Zekeriya
Z
Isler
Can
C
Ozsoy
Zafer
Z
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012677:Sensation; D013524:Surgical Flaps