VASCULAR BASIS OF THE RETROAURICULAR FLAP

The aims of this study were to investigate the vascular communication between the superficial temporal artery (STA) and the posterior auricu lar artery (PAA) and to determine the vascular territory of various re troauricular flaps for flap design. A series of eight adult fresh cada vers were perfused with a mixture of lead oxide, gelatin, and water th rough the common carotid and femoral arteries. The full thickness of s calp and facial skin was removed with the STA and the PAA. A radiograp h was taken of each specimen. After the retroauricular flap with the P AA from the posterior auricular and mastoid regions was elevated, anot her radiograph was taken of the specimen. Our radiographic assessment revealed two patterns of vascular anastomosis between the STA and PAA. The auricular anastomoses were found at the upper portion of the post erior surface of the ear, where some reticular anastomoses occurred be tween auricular branches derived from the STA and the PAA. The scalp a nastomoses were located in the scalp superior to the ear, where some r educed caliber choke anastomoses or true anastomoses existed between t he parietal branch and the terminal branches of the PAA. The results o f this study will be helpful for better understanding of the vascular communication between the STA and the PAA and the vascular territory o f retroauricular flaps. Our findings will also provide anatomic inform ation and guidance for the design of reliable flaps.