title: [The application of expanded forehead flap in reconstructing defects around nasal tip].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss using expanded forehead flap to repair defects around nasal tip and to find a standard and rational repairing method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-staged operations were adopted. The first stage is to implant expander. The second stage is to reconstruct defects around nasal tip using the expanded forehead flap with the supra trochlear vessels as its pedicle. If necessary, the autogenous cartilage was harvested from ribs and used as a nasal framework, which reestablished the projection of the tip. The third stage is to conduct the pedicle resection and repairing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen patients who suffered from defects around nasal tip were cured using the expanded forehead flap. These flaps survived well. The appearance of nasal tips and ventilation function were very nice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expanded forehead flap is an ideal method to reconstruct defects around nasal tip. The advantages of this method are safety, good appearance, matched colour and luster, and covert scar of donor site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China. guonengqiang@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Nengqiang
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Jiaming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xiaoling
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004106:Dilatation; D005260:Female; D005546:Forehead / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D055815:Young Adult