Free temporal artery posterior auricular skin (TAPAS) flap: A new option in facial and intra-oral reconstruction

BACKGROUND: There is a limited availability of suitable microvascular free flap options for the reconstruction of small to medium-sized facial and intraoral defects. The purpose of this report is to present a new free temporal artery based posterior auricular skin (TAPAS) flap in facial and intraoral reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four patients were deemed suitable for TAPAS flap reconstruction and consisted of two males and two females with a mean age of 43 years (range 22-66). Defect aetiology and location comprised of post-traumatic lower eyelid scarring, late lower lip scarring post tumour resection, and floor of mouth and tongue defects following tumour resection. The dimensions of the resultant defects ranged from 25 × 50 mm (smallest) to 40 × 70 mm (largest). All patients underwent microvascular reconstruction using a free fasciocutaneous TAPAS flap raised from the retroauricular region based on the superficial temporal vessels. RESULTS: The maximal pedicle length was 60 mm and the maximum flap size measured 40 mm by 70 mm. The latter patient required skin grafting of the postauricular donor site. Postoperatively, there was one case of mild transient venous congestion that spontaneously resolved after 2 days and one case of minor partial flap dehiscence that required re-suturing. Follow-up time ranged from 6 to 14 months. Overall, all flaps survived with good aesthetic and functional outcome. CONCLUSION: The TAPAS flap is a small flap with exceptional qualities and may be a useful addition to the armamentarium of free flaps in facial and oral reconstructions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:525-530, 2017.

Resumen tomado de PubMed (NCBI) para el registro citado, en el idioma original. La versión de referencia es la de la publicación original.

El resumen se deja sin traducir para conservar la redacción original de los autores.

Four patients underwent facial or intraoral reconstruction with a new free temporal artery posterior auricular skin (TAPAS) flap (up to 40 × 70 mm); all flaps survived with good aesthetic and functional outcome, with one transient venous congestion and one minor dehiscence.

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

Más estudios revisados por pares en la categoría «Ensayos clínicos».

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Efficacy and Safety of Hirudotherapy for Improving Sperm Quality Parameters in Male Infertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Abtahi-Forooshani M et al. (2026)
• Reverse Sural Flap Venous Congestion Successfully Managed With Enoxaparin in a Male Patient With a Traumatic Foot Crush Injury: A Case Report — Velasco-Bustamante J et al. (2026)
• Investigación de los efectos terapéuticos del tratamiento con sanguijuelas medicinales sobre la lesión por isquemia-reperfusión de la extremidad inferior — Ünal K et al. (2026)
• Efficacy of Medicinal Leech Therapy in Diverse Clinical Applications: A Comprehensive Study from Azerbaijan — Farzali S et al. (2025)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY: CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW — Heinz P et al. (2020)
• Hirudoterapia en la cicatrización de heridas — Nair H et al. (2022)
• Improvement of patient care through hirudotherapy and the management of leeches from their reception to their disposal in France — Vaesken C et al. (2023)

Ver toda la investigación analizada por la ASH →