Figure legends
Figure 1. Flow chart of patient selection.
Figure 2. Vascular supply of the left auricle.
(A) Structures around the auricle exposed following skin removal. (B) Exposed structures related to the auricle in the preauricular region. (C) Removal of the preauricular parotid exposing the course of vascular structures in the preauricular region. (D) Enlarged view of the infra-auricular region in C. (E) Exposed course of the posterior auricular artery. (F) Exposed perforating branches of the posterior auricular artery. (G–H) The auricle, parotid gland, and condyle of the mandible are shown to reveal the venous network medial to the parotid gland (G). Removal of the mandibular condyle shows the relationship between the superficial temporal vein and the parotid gland (H). The venous plexus around the condyle connects to the superficial temporal vein forming the retromandibular vein. (I) The course of the retromandibular vein and its related venous connection. The part of the retromandibular vein between the asterisks is removed to show the deeper structures.
A., artery; Auric., auricular; Br., branch; Com., common; Comm., communication; EAM, external auditory meatus; EJV, external jugular vein; Gl., gland; Gr., Great; IJV, internal jugular vein; Inf., inferior; Lat., lateral; Lt., left; M., muscle; Max., maxillary. Mid., middle; N., nerve; Occip., occipital; Post., posterior; Ptery., pterygoid; Retromand., retromandibular; Rt. right; STA, superficial temporal artery; SCM, sternocleidomastoid; STV, superficial temporal vein; Sup., superior; TMJ, temporomandibular joint; Temporopar., temporoparietal
Figure 3. Variation of skin incisions for temporal bone surgery
(A) Various types of pre- and post-auricular skin incisions. (B) Variations of skin incision methods around the orifice of the external auditory meatus.
Figure 4. Representative cases of auricular complication following temporal bone resection. Pin pricking was insufficient for bloodletting, resulting in auricular necrosis due to the congestion (upper row). Insert (upper right corner): Case 43 at POD9, showing the appearance of the auricle following necrotomy. Mechanical stabs covered with heparin-soaked gauze improve auricular congestion and prevent auricular necrosis (middle and lower rows).
Figure 5. Dissection of the pre- or infra-auricular lymph node dissection are one of the risk factors inducing auricular complications following temporal bone surgery.