The posterior auricular flap: anatomical studies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the blood supply of the auriculomastoid skin and to prove the reliability of the posterior auricular vessels for supply of a skin flap in this region. This was done by means of studies of arteriograms, cadaver dissections, India ink perfusion, lead oxide injection and contact radiographs. Information from operative dissections performed in the course of superficial parotidectomies and neck dissections was included, as was information from 11 clinical flap transfers. The conclusion was drawn that the auriculomastoid skin could safely be transferred on the posterior auricular vessels, either as an island flap or as a free flap.