Aesthetic sideburn reconstruction with an expanded reversed temporoparieto-occipital scalp flap

The sideburn is an important feature of the facial profile in both women and men. Scars in the area around the sideburn and temple are difficult to conceal. Sideburn reconstruction is an especially challenging procedure for plastic surgeons because of the difficulty involved in acquiring high-quality tissue and achieving proper hair direction for a satisfactory appearance. This article describes how to utilize an expanded temporoparieto-occipital scalp flap for sideburn reconstruction, which results in satisfactory hair direction, inconspicuous scars in both the donor and recipient areas, and few complications. From August 2011 to April 2012, 11 patients underwent sideburn reconstruction treatments that involved the use of an expanded temporoparieto-occipital scalp flap. The likeness of hair color and density in the sideburn area was achieved, and the scars at the donor site were hidden in the post-auricular hairline. All of the patients were shown a satisfactory appearance, with few complications both on the recipient and donor site. An expanded temporoparieto-occipital scalp flap is an ideal flap to utilize in sideburn reconstructions because it results in satisfactory hair direction, inconspicuous scars at both the donor and recipient areas, and few complications.