Endoscopic-assisted harvest of the temporoparietal fascial flap

Elevation of the temporoparietal fascial flap by conventional T or Y incisi ons in the temporal region frequently leaves conspicuous scarring, hair thi nning, or baldness. To avoid such undesirable effects, endoscopic-assisted harvest of the temporoparietal fascial flap was performed in 9 patients wit h microtia. Through two horizontal incisions in the temporal region, the te mporoparietal fascia was dissected, and the flap was harvested using bipola r scissors and coagulating shears. Flaps were dissected and harvested succe ssfully without any complications in 7 patients, although extra incisions w ere required to facilitate coagulation in 2 patients. The authors introduce this harvesting technique and describe some representative cases. Using en doscopic guidance, this is a versatile, safe procedure with minimal morbidi ty, and is applicable to other reconstructive procedures that require a tem poroparietal fascial flap, including the free flap.