Background: Ear cartilage is a preferred graft material in rhinoplasty. However, after harvest, instability of the auricular framework may arise as a form of donor site morbidity. In the harvest of ear cartilage, the posterior auricular ligament (PAL) is usually sacrificed in order to obtain as much cartilage as possible. Since damage to the PAL may cause auricular instability, we studied the periauricular anatomy using cadavers and evaluated auricular stability during surgery. Methods: Six ears from hemifacial cadavers were studied to clarify the exact anatomy of the PAL. Then, the recoil force of the auricle was serially measured to evaluate the stability of the auricular framework in 30 patients during surgery: before making the skin incision (M1), before and after cutting the PAL (M2, M3), and after harvesting the cymba concha (M4). The differences in force observed after cutting the PAL (ΔM2–M3) and after harvesting the cymba concha (ΔM3–M4) were statistically analyzed. Results: In the cadaveric study, the PAL was identified between the superficial and deep mastoid fasciae and connected the caudal aspect of the cymba concha to the deep mastoid fascia. During surgery, the PAL accounted for 16.20% of the total auricular recoil force. The recoil force decreased by 13.61 N and 11.25 N after cutting the PAL and harvesting the cymba concha, respectively. These decreases were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions The results suggest that the PAL is a supporting structure of the auricle. Therefore, to preserve auricular stability, minimizing damage to the PAL while harvesting the ear cartilage may be helpful.

Background: Due to the anatomical complexity of the deep temporal fascia (DTF), practical guidelines for its safe harvest are lacking. However, since the upper temporal compartment (UTC) contains no vital structures, it may provide safe access for DTF harvest. This study aimed to identify the anatomical structures of the temporal compartment in Asian cadavers and to measure their dimensions to enable safe DTF harvest. Methods: The anatomical structures surrounding the temporal compartment were identified in 27 hemifaces from 15 Korean cadavers. After dissection, digital images were acquired and craniometric landmarks were placed upon them to identify the boundaries of the temporal compartment. The horizontal and vertical lengths of the temporal compartment were measured and their surface areas were computationally assessed. Subsequently, differences in the results by sex were evaluated. Results: The five-layer anatomical structure of the UTC was clearly visualized. The UTC was bounded by the temporal septa superiorly and inferiorly, the innominate fascia laterally, and the DTF medially. No vital structures were present within the UTC. The vertical and horizontal lengths of the UTC were 6.41±0.67 cm and 10.44±0.83 cm, respectively, and the surface area of the UTC was 48.52±5.65 cm2. No statistically significant differences were observed in any dimensions between male and female patients. Conclusions During rhinoplasty, DTF can be harvested as an autologous graft material from the UTC. An anatomical understanding of the UTC will aid in the safe and simple harvest of a sufficient amount of DTF.