How I do it/short communication: the middle temporal artery flap for coverage of an exposed cochlear implant cable in the mastoid cavity.
A patient who had previously undergone a modified radical mastoidectomy subsequently underwent cochlear implantation with good results. At surgery the mastoid cavity was partially obliterated to provide soft tissue cover for the implant cables. Following local infection the cable became exposed and we used a middle temporal artery local flap to provide cover for the cable. The anatomy of the flap and methods used are described here. The patient continues to have good hearing from the implant with a good coverage over the cable.
Craig
Mark
M
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8DA, UK. markcraig@doctors.org.uk
Lavy
Jeremy
J