Reconstruction of a scalp defect due to cochlear implant device extrusion using a temporoparietal fascia flap and a split-thickness skin graft from the scalp

• Published in: Archives of craniofacial surgery Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 319 - 323
• Main Authors: Kang, Jae Kyoung, Lee, Jae Seong, Suh, Michelle, Lim, Gil Chae, Shin, Myoung Soo, Yun, Byung Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 01.10.2019; 대한두개안면성형외과학회
• Subjects: Case Report; 성형외과학
• ISSN: 2287-1152; 2287-5603
• DOI: 10.7181/acfs.2019.00353

Cochlear implant extrusion, which is a common complication of cochlear implants, is generally repaired by a well visualized soft-tissue flap. A 61-year-old female patient with a medical history of schizophrenia who had a skin ulcer that caused cochlear implant extrusion, but that would be a stronger statement was referred to our department for removal of the implant and reconstruction of the resultant scalp defect. Accordingly, the broad defect was covered via rotation of a temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF) using the superficial temporal artery, with the pedicle in the preauricular region as the pivot point. Coverage of TPFF was achieved with a split-thickness skin graft using the scalp as the donor site, which led to a quick recovery after the operation and satisfactory results in terms of aesthetics. This case suggests that a TPFF might be used as a flexible flap with low donor site morbidity for reconstructing cases of cochlear implant extrusion accompanied by a large full-layer scalp defect.