[Repairing alar defects by using a retro-grade island auricle composite tissue flap based on the interconnection of superficial temporal artery and posterior auricular artery].

Objective: To investigate the application of reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery for alar defects.

Methods: 16 cases with alar defects were treated with reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery.

Results: All the composite auricular flaps survived with primary healing. The patients were followed up for half a year to four years. The survived composite flaps had a similar color, texture and appearance as normal alar. The cosmetic result was satisfactory.

Conclusions: Reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery is very suitable for alar defects.