"Wet behind the ears": the postauricular training ground for local flaps.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Plastic Surgery
• Dermatologic Surgery

Background:

• Surgical trainees transition from theoretical knowledge to practical application early in their education.
• Reconstructing soft tissue defects, particularly on the face, requires careful execution to minimize patient harm.
• Helical rim defects are common and provide a suitable challenge for developing surgical skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a safe and effective method for novice surgeons to practice flap reconstruction.
• To detail the planning of basic flaps utilizing postauricular tissues for helical rim defect reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Focuses on the use of postauricular tissues as a donor site for flap reconstruction.
• Emphasizes the theoretical and manual aspects of basic flap design and execution.
• Highlights the anatomical advantages of the postauricular region for surgical training.

Main Results:

• Postauricular tissue provides a safe and controlled environment for practicing flap reconstruction.
• Novice surgeons can gain essential experience in flap planning and execution.
• This approach facilitates the learning curve for reconstructive surgery.

Conclusions:

• Basic flap reconstruction using postauricular tissues is an effective training tool for surgical residents.
• The postauricular region is ideal for practicing techniques applicable to helical rim defects.
• This paper serves as a guide for planning such reconstructions in surgical education.