Ear helix flap for reconstruction of total loss of the upper eyelid, , , , , ,

We present a patient with a recurrent carcinoma of the right upper eyelid who underwent resection of the subtotal upper eyelid resulting in a full-thickness defect. The eyelid was reconstructed with advanced conjunctival lining and an ascending helix chondrocutaneous flap from the right auricle. This flap was nourished with a reverse flow of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal vessels. A superficial temporal vein of the flap was anastomosed to the zygomaticofacial branch of the superficial temporal vein at the lateral canthal region to ensure adequate drainage. The flap survived without any congestion. An ascending helix flap is the best candidate for total loss of the upper eyelid.