Endoscopic-assisted temporoparietal fascial flap dissection and harvesting: A feasibility preliminary cadaveric study

Endoscopic procedures in plastic surgery have been applied in various aesth etic and reconstructive surgical techniques, The authors describe, in this preliminary report, a new surgical technique of endoscopic dissection of th e temporoparietal fascial flap. A series of 6 fresh human cadavers (12 flap s) were dissected endoscopically. The surgical incisions, flap anatomy appl icable to endoscopy, endoscopic surgical technique, and type of endoscopic setup is standardized for all flaps, allowing direct identification of the temporoparietal fascial layers and the major vascular pedicle, This endosco pic manipulation of the flap, without the traditional large scalp incision, permits local and free transfer of the temporoparietal fascial flap, Expos ure of the flap by means of the conventional T or Y temporal incisions has several possible disadvantages, including an increased risk of blood loss, alopecia, and facial nerve injury, Endoscopic dissection and mobilization o f the temporoparietal fascial flap can obviate the direct flap incision and yield a flap accessible to dissection and mobilization for additional clin ical applications, This new, innovative, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedure may prove particularly applicable to future clinical applications of this type of fascial flap.