Reconstruction of the nasal columella.
OBJECTIVE
To report techniques successful for nasal columella reconstruction.


METHODS
Retrospective medical chart review of patients undergoing columella reconstruction by 2 of us (D.A.S. and P.A.H.) from January 1, 1982, to December 31, 2000. Photographs before tumor resection or trauma, after resection or trauma, and after reconstruction were examined by facial plastic surgeons masked to the cases and were rated on a 10-cm visual analogue scale.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients were identified, most of whom had columellar defects repaired with forehead flaps, nasolabial flaps, or nasofacial sulcus flaps. The mean improvement on the 10-cm visual analogue scale was 2.0 from before tumor resection or trauma to after reconstruction, and 5.0 from tumor resection or trauma to after reconstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
Skin grafts, composite grafts, and several flaps, including nasolabial, nasofacial sulcus, and forehead flaps, are useful in repairing defects of the nasal columella.
Sherris
David A
DA
Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. sherris.david@mayo.edu
Fuerstenberg
Jon
J
Danahey
Daniel
D
Hilger
Peter A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D002356:Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps