The occipital flap for reconstruction after lateral temporal bone resection.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of the occipital rotational flap as an alternative reconstructive technique following lateral temporal bone resection.


METHODS
A retrospective medical record review of 10 patients who underwent reconstruction with an occipital rotational flap after auriculectomy or lateral temporal bone resection. Patient and operative variables included age, preoperative ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) classification, operative time, total length of hospital stay, and use of preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy. Patient demographic characteristics and medical comorbidities were also recorded. Clinical outcomes included medical complications, minor and major wound complications, and donor site complications.


RESULTS
Patients' mean age was 73.9 years, and mean ASA classification was 2.8. The mean operative time was 8.1 hours, and the mean length of hospital stay was 5.3 days. Three patients received preoperative radiotherapy, and 7 received postoperative radiotherapy. Two patients developed postoperative medical complications, 2 developed minor wound breakdown, and 1 developed a donor site complication.


CONCLUSIONS
The occipital flap method is reliable and should be considered as an option for reconstruction after lateral temporal bone resection in select patients.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
Michael G
MG
Moore
Derrick T
DT
Lin
Anthony A
AA
Mikulec
Michael J
MJ
McKenna
Mark A
MA
Varvares
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000601:surgery; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000601:surgery; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery*