A combined therapy for the repair of alar defects that consists of a modified spiral flap and postoperative nasal stent

Abstract

Background: The repair of alar defects is challenging in clinics. Although skin grafts and nasolabial flaps are reliable, they can cause secondary post-surgical deformities. Methods: In this report, we describe an alar spiral advancement flap with a subcutaneous pedicle combined with postoperative nasal stent therapy for the repair of alar defects. Results: All cases showed slight asymmetry immediately after surgery, but at a median follow-up of 24 months, no cases of dissatisfaction with the nose shape or abnormal respiratory function were found. Almost all incision scars subsided within 12 months. In addition, all flaps that were dissected and rotated during the surgeries healed, and no signs of necrosis or development of vascular compromise were observed. Conclusion: Our preliminary experience suggests that the alar spiral flap followed by nasal stent therapy provides stable recovery of appearance and function for alar defects during follow-ups and shows promise for future therapies.

Keywords

• Nasal alar defects
• Flap transposition
• Spiral flap
• Nasal stent
• Nasal subunits