A method to repair auricular defects after perichondrial cutaneous grafting.

Abstract

To describe and illustrate the technique for closing the auricular bowl defect after perichondrial cutaneous grafting. The postauricular flip-flop flap is used for this purpose. A retrospective clinical study of 354 patients using the perichondrial cutaneous graft for various reconstructions of the face and then performing the postauricular flip-flop flap procedure. The perichondrial cutaneous graft is a reliable, versatile graft that possesses unique properties for reconstructive surgery of the face. The postauricular flip-flop flap is our particular technique for closure of the donor site wound after using the perichondrial cutaneous graft. It is a relatively simple procedure that has predictable results. We used this technique in patients ranging in age from 7 days to 92 years and noted excellent cosmetic results and rare complications. Two patients had failure of the perichondrial cutaneous graft. Two patients had partial necrosis of the postauricular flip-flop flap. Two patients had dehiscence of the postauricular closure. The postauricular flip-flop flap is a reliable method to repair the donor site after perichondrial cutaneous grafting.