title: Titanium mesh in reconstructive surgery of the nasal pyramid. Follow-up of our 11 initial cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Titanium mesh has been employed in neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and maxillofacial surgery as a bone replacement in diverse conditions. We first reported on its use as a substitute for osteocartilaginous nasal structure with satisfactory functional and aesthetic results in 2009.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the utility and tolerance of titanium mesh as a substitute of the osteocartilaginous portion of the nose.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients were identified who had a nasal reconstruction with titanium mesh. We retrospectively searched for infection, extrusion, nasal valve collapse, second surgery, and patient satisfaction in the patients' records. All patients presented with various types of non-melanoma skin cancer in the nasal pyramid. In the reconstruction of full-thickness nasal defects, local flaps were used, employing titanium mesh as a support structure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No mesh extrusions, infections, or collapse of the nasal valve were noted in patients with a mean follow-up of five years. Only one patient needed a second surgery to debulk the flap. Patient satisfaction achieved a mean score of 7.5 out of 9 in 10 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As cartilage grafts need a second surgical site, with consequent morbidity, the use of titanium mesh proves useful and safe in the reconstruction of nasal full-thickness defects. The results of our series of patients demonstrate the suitability of this material in the repair of nasal osteochondral defects, as well as its low rate of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, Spain.
authors.forename: María Mercedes
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Otero-Rivas
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: González-Sixto
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, Spain.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alonso-Alonso
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, Spain.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez-Bustillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis Miguel
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Valladares-Narganes
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel Ángel
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Prieto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D009666:Nose / Q000601:surgery*; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium