title: Full-thickness skin grafting in nasal reconstruction.
abstract: Skin grafting in nasal reconstruction, long used by dermatologists, can provide superior results and can well be the "go to" procedure for nasal reconstruction. The upper two-thirds of the nose is composed of both flattened, featureless and often thin skin that is well recreated with defect-only full-thickness grafting. Skin grafting for the lower third of the nose has been practiced for years by dermatologists; over the last 4 to 5 years, it has been embraced by plastic surgeons. The patient and donor site selection is critical. Meticulous attention to graft selection, utilization of a no-touch technique during graft harvest and placement of surgical bolsters with through-and-through tacking sutures are essential to ensure 100% graft take and a successful aesthetic result.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Weathers
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Mohin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhadkamkar
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Erik M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wolfswinkel
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Thornton
keywords: Mohs reconstruction; full-thickness skin graft; nasal defect