The posterior auricular flap: intra-oral reconstruction.

During 1986, the posterior auricular flap was used, in the Northern Ireland Plastic and Maxillo-Facial Service, for the reconstruction of a variety of post-excisional defects in the head and neck. In this paper, we present the results of its use in intra-oral defects. The operative technique is described in detail and representative case reports are presented. The posterior auricular flap would appear to have a role to play in the reconstruction of defects in the oral cavity as the skin quality equals that of the radial forearm flap, and in many cases it may be transferred as an island pedicle flap without the need for microvascular anastomosis.