Nasal reconstruction utilizing a muscle hinge flap with overlying full-thickness skin graft

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2000-11, Vol.43 (5), p.837-840
• Main Authors: Fader, Darrell J., Wang, Timothy S., Johnson, Timothy M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - surgery; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Medical sciences; Mohs Surgery; Muscle, Skeletal - transplantation; Nose - pathology; Nose - surgery; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Skin Transplantation - methods; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1067/mjd.2000.108374

Background: Deep nasal defects of the dorsum, sidewall, and ala can be challenging to repair. Objective: The article describes our experience with a muscle hinge transposition flap with overlying local full-thickness skin grafting for repair of deep nasal defects in a single-stage procedure. Methods: A muscle hinge transposition flap with overlying local full-thickness skin grafting was used immediately after Mohs micrographic surgery to repair 12 deep nasal defects of the dorsum, sidewall, alar lobule, and supratip. Results: No cases of infection, flap, or graft necrosis occurred in our series. Cosmetic and functional outcomes were judged from good to excellent by patient and surgeon. To enhance the cosmetic outcome, 5 patients underwent spot dermabrasion within 2 months of repair. Conclusion: For properly selected small to medium-sized deep nasal defects (1-2 cm) that lack a sufficiently loose adjacent tissue reservoir for a single-stage local flap, a muscle hinge transposition flap with local full-thickness skin grafting can provide consistently satisfying aesthetic and functional results. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:837-40.)