[Repairing alar defects by using a retro-grade island auricle composite tissue flap based on the interconnection of superficial temporal artery and posterior auricular artery].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the application of reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery for alar defects.


METHODS
16 cases with alar defects were treated with reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery.


RESULTS
All the composite auricular flaps survived with primary healing. The patients were followed up for half a year to four years. The survived composite flaps had a similar color, texture and appearance as normal alar. The cosmetic result was satisfactory.


CONCLUSIONS
Reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery is very suitable for alar defects.
Chen
Shi-Hai
SH
Department of Plastic Surgery , the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanjing 530021, China.
Wei
Qiang
Q
Liao
Ming-De
MD
Liu
Qing-Feng
QF
Yu
Hai-Sheng
HS
D000328:Adult; D004431:Ear, External / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult