[The pedicled temporal fascia flap for facial defect coverage]

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Head and Neck Reconstruction

Background:

• The fascia superficialis temporalis (FST) flap is a reconstructive option for head and neck defects.
• Its anatomical span is suitable for covering significant surgical defects.

Observation:

• The FST flap, with thin skin grafting, was utilized in four patients.
• Reconstructions included defects from Merkel cell carcinoma, arterial/venous malformations, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
• Specific sites reconstructed were the zygoma, auricle, and orbital/palpebral region.

Findings:

• The fascia superficialis temporalis flap demonstrated effectiveness in reconstructing diverse head and neck defects.
• Satisfactory cosmetic outcomes were achieved in all four patient cases.
• The flap's thinness and plasticity are key attributes for successful facial reconstruction.

Implications:

• The FST flap is a valuable tool for facial reconstruction due to its thinness and plasticity.
• Its rapid surgical application and low donor site morbidity benefit fragile and elderly patients.
• This technique offers a reliable solution for complex head and neck reconstructions.