This paper reported the use of superficial temporal vessels pedicled postauricular island flap for the reconstruction of eye socket. Six cases were treated by this method since 1988 with universal satisfactory results. The disign of the flap was diseribed. The operative procedure was detailed, and the advantages of the flap were evaluated: 1. The donor defect was hidden behind the ear; 2. The flap has a relatively long pedicle, hence easy for distant transfer, and 3. the blood supply was highly reliable.
Eighteen cases of loss or obliteration of eye sockets from trauma or tumour were repaired with various methods: skin graft, postauricle flap with tempopostauricular blood vessel, forehead flap with temporal blood vessel and temporal flap with subcutaneous pedicle. Following 1 to 5 years follwup, the results were good and the improvement on outlooking was remarkable. The skin grafting was a simple and applicable method but it needed a longer time of blepharorrhaphy. The flap transfer was more complicated but suitable for the obliteration of the eye socket accompanied with depression deformity, but it usually would result in a secondary cicatricical malformation at the region around the eye. Thus, it was important to select a best operative method according to the specific condition.