[Repairing alar defects by using a retro-grade island auricle composite tissue flap based on the interconnection of superficial temporal artery and posterior auricular artery].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the application of reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery for alar defects.

METHODS

16 cases with alar defects were treated with reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery.

RESULTS

All the composite auricular flaps survived with primary healing. The patients were followed up for half a year to four years. The survived composite flaps had a similar color, texture and appearance as normal alar. The cosmetic result was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS

Reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery is very suitable for alar defects.