title: Lateral rhinotomy approach for Mohs micrographic surgery of the anterior septum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neoplasms of the nasal septum and internal alar surface are very difficult to treat. This is because of the complicated surface, proximity to important anatomic structures, and technical difficulty--both to resection and follow up. Mohs micrographic surgery might be the ideal mode of treatment for such tumors; however, it is very difficult to accomplish through the nostril.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To resect the tumor on the nasal septum and internal alar surface using Mohs micrographic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lateral rhinotomy was performed as a preparatory stage to Mohs micrographic surgery of the anterior septum and intranasal alar surface.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ala nasi was detached from the cheek, thus exposing the anterior nasal cavity--enabling direct access to the neoplasms and allowing excellent visualization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lateral rhinotomy, as described in this article, is a simple office procedure and in most cases heals with no visible scar.
authors.affiliation: Mohs Micrographic Surgical Unit, Department of Plastic Surgery, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zilinsky
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borenstein
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsur
mesh_terms: D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*