The temporoparietal galea flap.

The temporoparietal galea flap has been rediscovered as a useful tissue transfer technique. It is the only single-layered fascial flap that can be transposed into the craniofacial and head and neck region on its vascular pedicle. In the 1990s, it was used extensively in the surgical reconstruction of a wide variety of defects in the craniomaxillofacial area, ranging from scalp and auricle defects to nasal and maxillo-orbital repair to all types of intraoral and even mandibular and pharyngeal reconstructions.

Temporoparietal fascia flaps and superficial musculoaponeurotic system plication in parotid surgery reduces Frey's syndrome.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of Frey's syndrome after parotid gland surgery with elevation of a skin flap versus the interposition of musculoaponeurotic tissue between the skin and the facial nerve.

Materials And Methods: The standard skin flap was used in 122 patients (1981 to 1989), whereas interposition of temporoparietal galea or superficial musculoaponeurotic system was performed in 146 consecutive patients (1989 to 1998).

Results: The incidence of Frey's syndrome was reduced from 33% to 4% with the use of a musculoaponeurotic layer, and the mean duration of postoperative facial nerve paresis decreased from 3 months to 6 weeks.