Reconstruction of a Socket Using a Retroauricular Temporal Flap

Reverse-Flow Retroauricular Island Flap in Facial Reconstruction

“…The superficial temporal vein shows quite variability and can be as distant as 4 cm from the STA 8 . Therefore, it has been suggested that insufficiency of venous return could be avoided by direct vision of the vein and full inclusion of the surrounding temporal fascia in the vascular pedicle 6,8,30 …”

“…8 The retroauricular and mastoid skin could be elevated as an island or a free flap based on the PAA 16,17 or STA. [3][4][5][6][7][8]12,[18][19][20][21][22][23] Anatomic studies revealed that retroauricular and preauricular surfaces are mainly supplied by the PAA and STA, respectively. 14,17 Also there are true and choke vessel anastomoses between these two arteries.…”

“…Venous congestion is the most important complication related to the retroauricular reverse-flow flaps. 6,7,22,30 Whereas some authors suggested that an inevitable torsion in the pedicle is the main cause of this problem, 6,30 others claimed that insufficient venous drainage is the cause of congestion. 8,22 The superficial temporal vein shows quite variability and can be as distant as 4 cm from the STA.…”

“…Ideally, the selected flap should not cause donor site deformity. The retroauricular area is one of the favorable donor sites to provide all these criteria 1–9 …”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] The transfer of retroauricular skin as a pedicled or a free flap that allows the reconstruction of defects of the nose, ears, socket, eyelids, eyebrows, malar region, and forehead has been described in the literature. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Washio 1,2 published the first detailed anatomic study on vascularization of retroauricular area and comprehensive description of retroauricular flap. Guyuron 7 described a superficial temporal artery (STA) pedicled retroauricular island flap for contracted eye socket reconstruction.…”