[Island skin flap supplied by superficial temporal vessel for the whole ear lobe defect].
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a new method for reconstruction of the whole ear lobe defect.


METHODS
The free island skin flap supplied by superficial temporal vessel which was designed at the area anterior and superior to crus helicis. The flap was transferred through subcutaneous tunnel and self-folded to reconstruct the whole ear lobe defect.


RESULTS
Since 1999, 6 cases were treated with no complication. The ear lobe shape and skin colour were very natural.


CONCLUSIONS
The island skin flap supplied by superficial temporal vessel is very suitable for the whole ear lobe defect with good cosmetic results.
Wang
Zhao-Yang
ZY
Department of Plastic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, China.
Zhu
Shi-Ze
SZ
Wu
Wen-Yi
WY
Chen
Zhi-Liang
ZL
Zheng
Zhi-Fang
ZF
D000328:Adult; D004431:Ear, External / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000637:transplantation