Surgical treatment of defects on the tip of the nose.
BACKGROUND
Malignant tumors frequently occur on the tip of the nose and may represent considerable therapeutic challenges.


OBJECTIVE
Dermatologic surgical approaches are outlined to achieve maximum cure rates with optimal cosmesis.


METHODS
Different excision techniques are shown to remove basal and squamous cell carcinomas as well as other malignant lesions on the tip of the nose. All operations can be performed under local anesthesia in a dermatologic surgical setting.


RESULTS
Excisions with direct wound closure are sufficient for small tumors and may even enhance the appearance off the nose. Large tumors may require full-thickness skin grafts after extensive removal yielding acceptable cosmetic results. Multiple different local flaps are available for medium sized defects whereas large wounds including the nasal skeleton require loco-regional flap repair.


CONCLUSIONS
Selection of the best defect repair allows the majority of nasal tip defects to be repaired with excellent functional and cosmetic results.
Haneke
E
E
D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D003475:Curettage / Q000379:methods; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000601:surgery; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000145:classification