Prefabricated vertical myocutaneous flap of the nose in facially burned patients.

Abstract

In facially burned patients, a simple and effective technique is described for reconstruction of deformities of the lower third of the nose. The first stage consists of replacing the dorsal scarred skin with a skin graft from the buttocks or other area. The second stage is a vertical columella-based prefabricated flap that is outlined beginning near the tip of the nose and extending superiorly to the glabellar region. This flap is raised with the underlying muscle as a composite tissue, transposed to the defect, and sutured to the vestibular mucous membrane or the integument of the remaining portions of the nose at the alar rim. This very well vascularized vertical prefabricated myocutaneous flap can cover a cartilage graft taken from the ear to reconstruct an alar rim. The donor site is closed by undermining the nasal skin laterally on each side and suturing the edges at the dorsum to leave an acceptable midline scar. In patients for whom a nasolabial flap or other technique is not suitable or is impossible, this new and simple technique may be used successfully.