Reconstruction of extensive nasal defects with staged bilateral paramedian forehead flaps.

Abstract

Reconstruction of near-total and total nasal defects is technically challenging, particularly in patients with an extensive smoking history. One of the keys to a successful esthetic and functional reconstruction is the use of intranasal lining that is reliable and not susceptible to necrosis. Unlike mucosal flaps and skin turn-in flaps with a random blood supply, paramedian forehead flaps have an axial blood supply and are less likely to be adversely affected by a patient's smoking history. In this report, we describe the use of staged bilateral paramedian forehead flaps as an alternative technique for patients with isolated near-total or total nasal defects where local tissue is of insufficient quality or quantity for intranasal flap design. The use of staged bilateral forehead flaps can result in acceptable functional and esthetic outcomes in patients with extensive nasal defects.