Archives of Plastic Surgery

Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (대한성형외과학회)
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Reconstruction of the Extended Region of the Upper Auricle Using the Superior Auricular Artery Island Flap

상이개동맥 도상피판을 이용한 이개상부 및 그 주변부의 재건

  • Kyung, Hyun Woo (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Oh, Sang-Ha (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Seo, Young Joon (Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Kim, Dong-Woon (Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University)
  • 경현우 (충남대학교 의과대학 성형외과학교실) ;
  • 오상하 (충남대학교 의과대학 성형외과학교실) ;
  • 서영준 (충남대학교 의과대학 피부과학교실) ;
  • 김동운 (충남대학교 의과대학 해부학교실)
  • Published : 2009.05.15
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Abstract

Purpose: The retroauricular flap has many advantages for facial reconstruction and is being performed by many surgeons. However, it is difficult for the retroauricular flap to perform reconstruction of the upper region of the auricle and its surroundings, due to limited rotation arc and length of pedicle. We successfully reconstructed the upper region of the auricle and its surroundings with retroauricular flap by using the superior auricular artery as a supplying pedicle. The purpose of this study is to present an anatomic study about the superior auricular artery and its clinical application. Methods: We investigated the relationship between the superior auricular artery and its surrounding structures through anatomic studies with 7 fresh cadavers and then applied the findings clinically. From February to December 2008, we performed 7 cases of the superior auricular artery island flap to reconstruct the defects in patients operated on skin cancer. Sizes of the defects varied form $0.8{\times}0.8cm$ to $3.5{\times}3.0cm$. Results: We found that the superior auricular artery is a reliable pedicle for the retroauricular flap, based on anatomical studies. All wounds of the patients were successfully closed. The flap donor site was primary closed except in one patient with a large defect. The aesthetic outcomes of the donor and recipient sites were satisfying. Conclusions: The superior auricular artery island flap has several advantages. Therefore, we suggest that the superior auricular artery island flap is a treatment of choice for reconstructing soft tissue defect at the upper region of the auricle and its surrounding area.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : 충남대학교

References

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