[Application of narrow hypodermal pedicled retroauricular flap in repairing preauricular soft tissue defect]

To investigate the technique and effectiveness of using narrow hypodermal pedicled retroauricular flap for repairing preauricular soft tissue defect.

Between June 2008 and July 2011, 11 cases of preauricular soft tissue defect were treated, which were caused by resection of preauricular tumors, including 5 cases of pigmented nevus, 2 cases of basal cell carcinoma, 2 cases of mixed hemangioma, and 2 cases of skin papilloma. There were 7 males and 4 females, aged from 26 to 75 years (mean, 50 years). The disease duration was 3-50 years (mean, 35 years). The size of the soft tissue defect ranged from 1.5 cm x 1.0 cm to 3.5 cm x 3.0 cm. The narrow hypodermal pedicled retroauricular flap was designed with its pedicle along the pathway of the superficial temporal artery and posterior auricular artery through tunnel to repair the defects. The size of the flaps ranged from 1.8 cm x 1.3 cm to 3.8 cm x 3.3 cm with the pedicle of 2-5 cm in length and 0.4-0.7 cm in width. The donor site was sutured directly or repaired with local flap.

All flaps survived and incisions healed primarily after operation. Eight cases were followed up 6 months to 1 year. The flaps had good texture, flexibility, and color, and the auricle appearance was satisfactory. No recurrence of tumor was found.

The narrow hypodermal pedicled retroauricular flap has long and narrow pedicle, big transferring angle, large repairing area, no major blood vessel, and easy operation, so it is a simple and ideal technique for repairing preauricular soft tissue defect.