One-stage reconstruction of alar wing defects by nasolabial flaps and full-thickness skin graft

Abstract

Objectives:Reconstruction of the alar part of the nose is challenging due to its distinctive three-dimensional structure and functional significance. One-stage reconstruction of alar wing by nasolabial region flaps and skin grafts is presented in this paper.Methods:Medial pedunculated nasolabial turnover flap technique was used to reconstruct inner surface of the large fullthickness alar wing defect in 12 patients treated between 1998 and 2004.Results:Outer surface was covered by a full thickness skin graft and the donor site was closed by a nasolabial advancement flap.Conclusion:Outcomes were acceptable in both functional and cosmetic aspects. More than one operation is required to obtain comparable results with alternative techniques. Other techniques involving the reconstruction of broad and full layer loss of nasal subunits in a single session with successful results from aesthetical and functional aspects were described as well. We suggest that the presented method for the reconstruction of large full-thickness alar defects in a single session can be considered as an alternative.

Keywords

• turnover nasolabial flap
• full-thickness alar wing defect
• skin cancer.