A trilobed flap for reconstruction of nasal skin defects

Full-thickness skin grafts for surgical defects of the nasal ala - a comprehensive review, approach and outcomes of 186 cases over 9 years

BACKGROUND

Skin cancers of the nasal ala are commonly encountered in dermatological surgery. Various techniques have been described to reconstruct surgical defects of the ala, including melolabial transposition flaps, interpolated melolabial flaps, bilobed and trilobed transposition flaps, island pedicle flaps and spiral flaps. Full-thickness skin grafts have received little attention in the reconstructive literature.

OBJECTIVES

We present our experience with full-thickness skin grafts for the reconstruction of partial thickness defects of the nasal ala in the largest series to date.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the Mohs micrographic surgery database over a 9-year period was performed. All cases of full-thickness skin grafts for reconstruction of the nasal ala were identified. Defect location, size and any postoperative complications were noted. All patients were reviewed at the time of suture removal, at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively and at 1 year.

RESULTS

There were 186 cases in total in 181 patients (88 men and 93 women). Their ages ranged from 31 to 88 years with a mean of 65 years (median 66). Defect size varied from 0·3 × 0·4 cm to 2·0 × 2·7 cm, with the average defect size measuring 1·0-1·2 cm in diameter. Thirty-six per cent (67 of 186) of cases underwent postoperative dermabrasion, and 8% (14 of 186) received postoperative intralesional triamcinolone. The incidence of graft failure and infection was low. Good-to-excellent cosmetic results were seen in all patients and postoperative complications were uncommon and minor.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of full-thickness skin grafts for defects of the nasal ala is a simple and versatile reconstructive option with excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes.

[LLL plasty: simple procedure for coverage of cutaneous defects]

Skin defects may be due to several causes: trauma, surgical excision of malignant or benign, even malformative pathologies. The aim of this work is to report the interest of the LLL flap (L for Lozenge) (Dufourmental flap) in the coverage of the skin defects that sometimes may reach high dimensions or being located in areas of lower skin extensibility. We report a study involving 26 patients who all benefited from this technique having skin defects due to different causes and serving in different locations. LLL plasty allowed a first closure in all patients. The cosmetic result was good and no recovery was necessary. LL plasty was first described in 1962 to cover limited skin defects. However, it requires some precision in its execution. This is a simple and reproducible procedure with considerable interest for its potential in the coverage of cutaneous defects in the face and that can reach up than 8cm. The scar would be reduced if we took care to match the areas of sutures with the shaded areas of the face (groove…). While allowing a better distribution of tension, this technique has demonstrated its superiority compared to direct suture, which the indication is limited by the size of the defect and its location (peri-orificial…) and other techniques that are similar as the Limberg flap.

Trilobed Skin Flap on the Face: For Reconstruction of Full-Thickness or Commissural Defects

BACKGROUND

Although many local skin flaps have been described for reconstruction of defects on the face, there are still some difficulties in reconstruction of full-thickness defects of alar and ear region and commissural defects in periorbital and perioral region.

OBJECTIVE

A trilobed skin flap can offer single-stage reconstruction of difficult full-thickness or commissural defects. We performed trilobed skin flaps in reconstruction of the defects on the face. The design of the flap and outcomes of the procedures are presented.

METHODS

Twelve patients with skin cancer on the face were operated under general or local anesthesia. After tumor resection, defects were closed with a trilobed skin flap. Patients were followed-up for a minimum 6 months.

RESULTS

There was no early or late complication in all patients. Oral competence was achieved in reconstruction of the oral commissure. A new lateral canthus with angles as in the original one was created. Alar and ear reconstructions were performed at one session using the same flap without a graft. The outcome was satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

Because it is easy to obtain a trilobed skin flap, it can be used for reconstruction of canthal, oral, and commissural defects, and the new canthus, mouth, and commissures with angles as in the original ones can be created. In addition, the flap can be used for reconstruction of full-thickness defects in the alar region and the ear.

The study of expanded tri-lobed flap in a rabbit model: possible flap model in ear reconstruction?

BACKGROUND

Local flaps are widely used in reconstructive surgery. Tri-lobed skin flap is a relatively new flap and there has been no experimental model of this flap. This flap can be used for repair of full thickness defects in the face, ears and alar region. Based on the size of ears in a rabbit, we designed a model of ear reconstruction using expanded tri-lobed flap. Local flaps are more advantageous in that they provide excellent color and texture matching up with those of the face, adequately restore ear contour, place scars in a favorable location and ideally accomplish these goals in a single stage with minimal donor site morbidity.

METHODS

Eight adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups. 50 ml round tissue expander were implanted to four rabbits. After completion of the expansion, a superiorly based tri-lobed flap was elevated and a new ear was created from the superior dorsal skin of each rabbit. Scintigraphy with Technetium-99m pertecnetate was performed to evaluate flap viability.

RESULTS

Subtotal flap necrosis was seen in all animals in non-expanded group. New ear in dimensions of the original ear was created in expanded group without complication. Perfusion and viability of the flaps were proved by Technetium-99m pertecnetate scintigraphy.

CONCLUSION

According to our knowledge this study is the first to demonstrate animal model in tri-lobed flap. Also, our technique is the first application of the trilobed flap to the possible ear reconstruction. We speculated that this flap may be used mastoid based without hair, in human. Also, tri-lobed flap may be an alternative in reconstruction of cylindrical organs such as penis or finger.

The rhombic bilobed flap for nasal reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The bilobed flap is a useful tool for reconstruction of the nose but is occasionally complicated by pincushioning or trapdoor deformity.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of a rhombic bilobed flap for use in reconstructing defects on the lower third of the nose.

METHODS

Reconstruction of skin cancer defects following Mohs surgery was performed using a bilobed rhombic flap design in 10 patients.

RESULTS

Good to excellent results were seen in 9 of 10 patients. Significant pincushioning was not present postoperatively in any patient.

CONCLUSION

Despite some disadvantages, the rhombic bilobed flap is useful in reconstructing nasal defects on the lower third of the nose.

Simple method of designing a bilobed flap

In the present study, we devised a new method of designing bilobed flaps. This method makes the flap easy to draw and has the merits of diffusing the tension on the flap and minimizing the dog-ear. We used this flap in 16 patients with face and head skin defects and obtained good results.