Reconstruction of lower half defects of the nose with the lateral nasal artery pedicle nasolabial island flap.
BACKGROUND
The superiorly based nasolabial flap is a well-known procedure. However, random pattern or subcutaneous pedicle flaps are insufficient for reconstruction of large defects. Artery pedicle flaps have a satisfactory blood supply, and for that reason, the required tissue can be raised for reconstruction of large defects of the nose.


METHODS
Twelve cases were operated on with this technique. Reconstruction was performed with a lateral nasal artery pedicle island flap. The mean age of the patients was 68.4 years. Three patients required cartilage grafts for alar rim support. The cartilage grafts were harvested from the auricular conchal bowl. The follow-up period ranged from 15 to 33 months.


RESULTS
There was no partial or total loss of the flap. There was no distortion on the face caused by smiling and pursing of the lips observed. Donor and reconstructed areas have an excellent appearance in all cases. The aesthetic results were satisfying for all patients as well.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors' flap can be used for reconstructing large defects of the lower half of the nose, and reconstruction with a single stage yields a fast and satisfactory result. The authors advocate that the lateral nasal artery pedicle nasolabial island flap is an excellent choice for reconstruction of large defects in the lower half of the nose.
Turan
Aydn
A
Istanbul, Turkey From the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic, SSK Vakıf Gureba Hospital.
Kul
Zekeriya
Z
Türkaslan
Tayfun
T
Özyiğit
Türker
T
Özsoy
Zafer
Z
D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology