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Over the past few years, the technique of elevating the buried ear framework in the second stage of microtia correction has shifted from skin grafting to the use of flaps and cartilage blocks in the retroauricular sulcus. While the temporoparietal fascial flap should be reserved for secondary procedures and the treatment of complications, the mastoid fascial flap is inadequate by itself and needs an additional cartilage graft. Here, we describe a new flap, the combined posterior temporoparietal and galeal fascial flap, for the elevation of the buried ear cartilage. The flap is robust, with a dependable blood supply based on the posterior branches of the superficial temporal artery. In four cases the flap was rolled up and inset into the retroauricular sulcus, while in three cases an additional conchal cartilage graft was inserted into the roll. All the patients had satisfactory ear projection at follow-up 10-14 months postoperatively. We discuss the surgical technique and the advantages of this flap. We believe that this new flap, which has not been described before, has the potential to replace other flaps in the second stage of microtia correction.

We describe our experience with the use of distally based superficial sural flaps for coverage of defects in the lower leg and foot in 21 patients. In 18 patients the flap was successfully transferred, in 2 cases partial necrosis of the flap occurred and 1 flap failed completely. In 18 cases the flap was used as a fasciocutaneous flap and in 3 cases as a fascial flap only. The advantages of this flap are: easy and quick dissection, hence saving operating time, minimal morbidity of donor site and preservation of major arteries of the leg. Although the flap was described as reliable for covering defects around the ankle joint, we have been able to cover defects of the dorsum of the foot distally and up to the mid-third of the tibia proximally.

We describe our experience with the use of an island gluteus maximus musculocutaneous flap (from its most inferior part) based on perforators from the inferior gluteal artery. The study is based on a series of 27 patients in whom treatment was carried out for 31 ischial pressure sores. Eight patients had postoperative complications in the form of dehiscence of the donor flap site and/or infection. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 32 months. During this period three patients developed recurrent sores which were treated with other flaps. We feel strongly that the use of this flap should be considered as a first choice in the treatment of the mild to moderate size ischial pressure sore. Its advantages include ease in elevation of the flap and the provision of a vascularized bulky flap which also spares the vascular pedicles of adjacent flaps for future use.

Vascularised fibula has been used to treat three patients with skin-bone defects of the foot following severe trauma. Similarity between fibula and metatarsal bone is obvious and makes fibula an ideal choice in the replacement of defects in the first metatarsal. Depending on the size of soft tissue defects, different combinations of fibula-skin transfer were used.

Management of multiple bed sores which are deep and of large area presents a special challenge to the surgeon, especially when all the sores are within the same anatomical region. We are presenting our experience of one-stage repair of bed sores. Representative cases are discussed including a patient who needed four flaps to close the ulcers. There were no major complications in any of the patients. We advocate one-stage repair in selected patients.