title: Free anterolateral thigh fascia lata flap for complex nasal lining defects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce a novel technique for the reconstruction of complex nasal lining defects using the free vascularized anterolateral thigh fascia lata flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  Free anterolateral thigh fascia lata flaps were used to replace nasal lining in 5 patients with total or subtotal rhinectomy defects. We performed a retrospective medical record review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No flap failure or lining loss was observed, and harvest site morbidity was negligible. Patients achieved satisfactory nasal form and patent nasal airways without a need for repeated revisions. In 2 patients, the anterolateral thigh flap was used simultaneously to restore the midface contour or to repair anterior skull base defects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this case series, we demonstrate the novel use of vascularized fascia lata to provide viable nasal lining in total and subtotal nasal defect reconstruction. Potential advantages offered by this technique compared with more established methods include (1) single-stage replacement of nasal lining, structure, and skin coverage; (2) fewer additional stages of reconstruction to achieve functional and aesthetic results; (3) thin lining to allow for optimal airway contour; (4) less harvest site morbidity; and (5) development of composite soft tissue, cutaneous, and/or muscle flaps to repair adjacent defects.
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seth
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Revenaugh
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scharpf
authors.forename: Taha Z
authors.initials: TZ
authors.lastname: Shipchandler
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fritz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*