title: The spiral flap for nasal alar reconstruction: our experience with 63 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe our patient selection, design, execution, and results with the spiral flap for distal nasal surgical defects after Mohs micrographic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of all spiral flaps performed over a 5-year period. Sixty-three patients were identified, and charts and photographs were examined. Surgical defects were classified according to alar location. All follow-up encounters were reviewed to assess for complications and need for revisionary procedures. Intraoperative photographs were taken of representative cases to describe the surgical technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-three patients on whom the spiral flap was performed were identified over a 5-year period. The flap was used to successfully reconstruct alar defects ranging in size from 5 to 15 mm in diameter. No persistent complications were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spiral flap is a reproducible, one-stage flap for small to medium-sized defects of the nasal ala and alar groove that consistently produces topographic restoration with minimal risk of aesthetic or functional complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29403, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mahlberg
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome