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The postauricular cutaneous advancement flap for repairing ear rim defects
L H Goldberg1, D V Mauldin, T R Humphreys
1Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Background:
Due to the ear's complicated anatomy and closely adherent anterior skin, repairing ear rim defects is often difficult.
Objective:
We describe a simple postauricular cutaneous advancement flap for correcting ear rim defects of varying sizes.
Methods:
Skin tumors involving the ear rims of 12 patients were excised. A postauricular cutaneous advancement flap was designed to correct the resulting defects.
Results:
The postauricular cutaneous advancement flap provided excellent cosmetic results in our 12 patients. Minimal superficial necrosis of the flap was observed in one patient.
Conclusion:
Utilizing relatively loose postauricular skin, this postauricular advancement flap can cover helical rim defects of varying sizes with excellent cosmetic results and low complication rates.
