The east-west advancement flap (horizontal advancement flap) to repair a defect on the nose ala.
BACKGROUND
The repair of an alar nasal defect is a frequent challenge for dermatologic surgeons for reasons of the high rate of non-melanoma cancers in the area.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to describe the use of an east-west cheek-based flap (horizontal advancement flap) to repair a surgical defect on the nose ala.


METHODS
Benefits and limits of this surgical procedure are evaluated.


RESULTS
The resulting S-shaped scar was well-camouflaged among the natural skin lines (melolabial fold and melonasal junction). No architectural distortion of the nose resulted from the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
In selected patients with small-to-medium-size defects of the nasal ala, the horizontal advancement flap is a simple, reliable and aesthetic reconstruction option.
Ascari-Raccagni
A
A
Department of Dermatology, Dermatological Surgery Unit, GB Morgagni-L Pierantoni General Hospital, via Forlanini, Forli, Italy. ascrac@libero.it
Dondas
A
A
Righini
Mg
M
Trevisan
G
G
D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013537:Sutures; D016896:Treatment Outcome