title: [Island skin flap supplied by superficial temporal vessel for the whole ear lobe defect].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Yang
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shi-Ze
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Wen-Yi
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Zhi-Liang
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhi-Fang
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: 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