The anatomy of the superficial temporal artery in patients with unilateral microtia.

This is a retrospective study that evaluated the anatomical distribution of the superficial temporal artery (STA) in supply of the temporoparietal fascial (TPF) flap for use in unilateral microtia patients undergoing reconstruction. We aimed to determine if embryologic arrest of pharyngeal arch development would lead to aberrant STA which impedes reliable harvest of the TPF flap in patients requiring microtia repair.