The postauricular fasciocutaneous flap with an adipofascial extension: A case report

INTRODUCTION: A complex defect on the anterior surface of the ear requires flap cover; such as the postauricular skin flap. The postauricular skin flap has never been used with an adipofascial extension. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 5-year old boy was involved in a car accident resulting in an exposed cartilage of the upper part of the right ear. The defect was covered with a post-auricular fasciocutaneous flap with an adipofascial extension. The adipofascial part of the flap was covered with a skin graft. DISCUSSION: The adipofascial extension serves two purposes: Firstly, it allows easier primary closure of the donor site. Secondly, it is less bulky and hence it does not observe the definition of the ear cartilage. CONCLUSION: Our case is the first case reported in literature using the post-auricular fasciocutaneous flap with an adipofascial extension.