Superficial temporal artery based flaps for reconstruction following resection of head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancers account for over twenty five percent of all cancers in the Indian subcontinent. Most of them are treated primarily with radiation therapy. Reconstruction following resection of post radiation residue or recurrent disease requires well vascularised, thin, pliable and easy to do flaps which could be used for reconstructing mucosal and cutaneous defects simultaneously to achieve a well healed wound with maximum function and cosmesis. Short of the microvascular technique the temperoparietal fasciocutaneous island or temperoparietal fascial flaps based on the superficial temporal vessels come closest to fulfilling these requirements.