The posterior auricular flap: intra-oral reconstruction

• Published in: British journal of plastic surgery Vol. 40; no. 6; pp. 570 - 581
• Main Authors: Leonard, Alan G., Kolhe, Pralhad S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1987; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma in Situ - therapy; Carcinoma, Papillary - therapy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mouth - surgery; Mouth Neoplasms - therapy; Neck; Postoperative Complications; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract; Surgical Flaps; Human; Plasty; Oral cavity; Surgery; Exéresis; Flap surgery; ENT disease; Tumor; Skin; Retroauricular
• ISSN: 0007-1226; 1465-3087
• DOI: 10.1016/0007-1226(87)90150-0

During 1986, the posterior auricular flap was used, in the Northern Ireland Plastic and Maxillo-Facial Service, for the reconstruction of a variety of post-excisional defects in the head and neck. In this paper, we present the results of its use in intra-oral defects. The operative technique is described in detail and representative case reports are presented. The posterior auricular flap would appear to have a roˆle to play in the reconstruction of defects in the oral cavity as the skin quality equals that of the radial forearm flap, and in many cases it may be transferred as an island pedicle flap without the need for microvascular anastomosis.