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.