title: Combined flaps based on the superficial temporal vascular system for reconstruction of facial defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Facial defects are multicomponent deficiencies rather than simple soft-tissue defects. Based on different branches of the superficial temporal vascular system, various tissue components can be obtained to reconstruct facial defects individually.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2004 to December 2013, 31 patients underwent reconstruction of facial defects with composite flaps based on the superficial temporal vascular system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty cases of nasal defects were repaired with skin and cartilage components, six cases of facial defects were treated with double island flaps of the skin and fascia, three patients underwent eyebrow and lower eyelid reconstruction with hairy and hairless flaps simultaneously, and two patients underwent soft-tissue repair with auricular combined flaps and cranial bone grafts. All flaps survived completely. Donor-site morbidity is minimal, closed primarily. Donor areas healed with acceptable cosmetic results. The final outcome was satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined flaps based on the superficial temporal vascular system are a useful and versatile option in facial soft-tissue reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai 200011, PR China.
authors.forename: Renpeng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai 200011, PR China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai 200011, PR China. Electronic address: qianyunliang@126.com.
authors.forename: Yunliang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai 200011, PR China. Electronic address: wangdanru1776@163.com.
authors.forename: Danru
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002102:Cadaver; D004954:Esthetics; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000098:blood supply; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Combined flaps; Facial defect; Multicomponent deficiencies; Superficial temporal vascular system