Total nasal reconstruction with a forehead flap: Focusing on the facial aesthetic subunit principle.

The nasal aesthetic subunit principle has been widely accepted as the standard for nasal reconstruction with forehead flaps. However, in our experience, one's impression of a reconstructed face can easily be represented by the nose's entire appearance rather than a single nasal component. Accordingly, we hypothesized that total nasal reconstruction focusing more on the facial aesthetic subunit principle would be superior to focal nasal subunit partial reconstruction. Here, we investigated the indication range of total nasal reconstruction and analyzed its effectiveness. Between July 2006 and December 2017, 32 patients who underwent total or subtotal nasal reconstruction were recruited. The total nasal reconstruction group (n = 20) was treated according to our modified facial aesthetic unit concept, while the subtotal reconstruction group (n = 16) was treated according to the nasal aesthetic subunit principle. Using retrospective reviews, we compared surgical details and aesthetic, and functional outcomes with visual analog scale scores. In aesthetic evaluation, nose contour (p = 0.009), nasal symmetry (p = 0.001), and nostril shape (p = 0.041) were superior in the total nasal reconstruction group. Satisfaction regarding the nose (p = 0.036) was significantly higher than that regarding the forehead and labial folds in the total group. Regarding function, there were no significant intergroup differences in nasal airflow, snoring, or olfaction. We suggest that total nasal reconstruction is not a strategy to avoid because of its aggressive nature. For selected suitable patients, the use of the total nose reconstruction focusing on our one nose concept can be a successful surgical option, and the reconstructed nose can be visualized as a real part of the face.

A new flap combination for reconstruction of lower nasal dorsum and supra-tip skin defects.

Repairing surgical defects of the nose is still challenging due to its tridimensional shape and its aesthetic concern. Difficulty in reconstructing nasal subunits lies in their contour, skin texture and limited availability of adjacent skin. For lower nasal dorsum and supra-tip regions, we design a new combined local flap as existing local flaps may give disappointing results. This combination flap was performed on two patients for reconstruction of the lower nasal dorsum area after basal cell carcinoma excision. Size of the excision ranged from 20 to 25 mm diameter and safe margins were obtained. The defects were reconstructed with a local flap that combined a rotation nasal flank flap and a V-Y advancement nasolabial flap. Excision and reconstruction were performed in a one-stage surgery under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. There were no postoperative complications and no flap loss occurred. Aesthetic and functional results after 6 months postoperatively were satisfying without modification of nasal shape. This flap is reliable and offers interesting functional and aesthetic outcomes. It can be considered as a new reconstruction alternative for supra-tip and lower nasal dorsum skin defects performed in a one-stage procedure under local anesthesia.

Traumatic loss of total lower lip and chin: The anterolateral thigh flap provides an optimal solution.

BACKGROUND: Young female presented 15 days after traumatic avulsion of total lower lip and chin. Considering the functional and aesthetic needs of the lower lip and chin, it is indeed challenging for the reconstructive surgeon to provide aesthetically appealing lower facial subunit with maintenance of good oral seal and competence. The authors present this case of total lower lip and chin loss reconstructed as a single aesthetic unit with free anterolateral thigh flap followed by secondarily defining the aesthetic subunits into lower lip and chin by selective liposuction. METHOD: Free anterolateral thigh flap was harvested. The fascia lata, harvested separately, was divided to form slings over which distal part of the flap, designated to form the lower lip, was hung over and inset into the remnant gingivolabial sulcus mucosa. This folded distal part of the flap formed the lining and cover of the lower lip. RESULT: After resurfacing with free ALT flap, she was able to attain lip seal and resume oral feeds within 3-4 days. She presented six weeks after the first surgery with severely reduced mouth opening. This was due to excessively tight perioral slings. Slings were released and flap was selectively debulked using liposuction so as to define the lower lip and chin subunits. CONCLUSION: Free anterolateral thigh flap is an extremely versatile option in the armamentarium of free flaps available. Primary thinning and good colour match along with negligible donor site morbidity makes it meritorious over the radial forearm flap.

Should we consider the hemi-tip as a proper aesthetic subunit in a nasal reconstruction?

BACKGROUND: Defects involving several aesthetic subunits (ASUs) or lying at the junction of an ASU are challenging and require a complex reconstruction. This study aimed to describe the hemi-tip as a new ASU. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including patients who underwent a nasal reconstruction for lower nasal pyramid defects according to our modified ASU principle. Patients who suffered from a subtotal alar defect, which also involved <50% of the tip, were reconstructed after excising the remaining tissue of the hemi-tip subunit. An aesthetic evaluation was performed using a patient satisfaction scale and by independent raters. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2014, 21 patients underwent a lower hemi-nose reconstruction. All patients had a full-thickness defect and underwent a reconstruction of the three layers of the nose. Sixty-four percent of our patients were very satisfied, 26% were satisfied, and only 10% were unsatisfied with their nasal tip appearance, with a mean score of 4.4/5. The nasal tip was also rated by independent raters with a mean score of 4.1/5. DISCUSSION: Our results and experience showed that a midline scar between the two hemi-tips is inconspicuous. The majority of the defects involving only one side of the tip would benefit from the hemi-tip ASU reconstruction. CONCLUSION: We have modified the number of ASUs by considering the hemi-tip as a proper subunit.