A FULL-THICKNESS CHONDROCUTANEOUS FLAP FROM THE AURICULAR CONCHA FOR REPAIR OF TRACHEAL DEFECTS

A free full-thickness chondrocutaneous flap from the auricular concha for the repair of large tracheal defects was transferred successfully. The flap is based on the superficial temporal vessels (reversed flow) and the posterior auricular vessels. The advantages of this flap for the repair of tracheal defects are (1) its dissection is easy, (2) thi n components of the flap provide a wide postoperative airway, (3) the structure of the reconstructed trachea is made firm by the conchal car tilage with vascularization, (4) the highly vascularized cartilage res ults in less resorption than a free cartilage graft, (5) the donor sit e can be repaired easily and is concealed by the remnant auricle, and (6) a long arterial pedicle (reversed flow) can be obtained. The disad vantages are (1) there may be temporary postoperative congestion of th e flap, (2) postoperative narrowing of the auriculocephalic sulcus may occur, and (3) a short venous pedicle often requires a vein graft.