Correction of atrophic nasal ala by sandwiching an auricular cartilage graft between para-alar and nasal floor retrogressive flaps.

Abstract

To correct atrophy of the nasal ala, combined flaps of the para-ala and the nasal floor were used. The flaps were pedicled on the alar base then slid in a retrograde fashion. Auricular cartilage harvested from the concha was placed in the original ala and between the para-alar and the nasal floor flaps to support the reconstructed nasal ala. The resulting skin defects in the nasal floor were covered with the skin grafts taken from postauricular regions. Postoperative scars were not conspicuous because suture lines were placed on the alar groove and the postauricular groove.