title: Repair of postauricular defects using a new technique: the swallowtail flap.
abstract: We describe a case of an 81-year-old patient, where we used a new technique for the reconstruction of postauricular defects (of 3 x 4 cm diameter). The swallowtail flap is an advancement flap that allows getting beyond the repair of the defect, providing an excellent aesthetic result because the scar is masked in the neck and retroauricular folds and does not alter the shape and projection of the ear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monarca
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maruccia
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scuderi
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044964:Cervicoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps