Subnasale flap for correction of columellar deformity

The Reconstruction of the Nasal Columella Defect Using Domino Flaps

Skin defects of the total nasal columella can significantly impact both nasal respiratory function and aesthetics. The reconstruction of total columella is a complex process and represents a significant challenge for plastic surgeons. Various factors can cause the loss of the columella. Numerous columella reconstruction procedures have been proposed, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The main issues to address include the need for regional flaps from the forehead or nasofacial sulcus, a long pedicle to reach the columella, and the double angular folding that causes a risk of malnutrition or venous congestion. Additionally, using horizontal nasolabial flaps may lead to deformation of the upper lip. In this study, we present a new procedure to reconstruct the nasal columella using "Domino flaps" with two flaps (the horizontal upper lip island flap and nasocheek island flap). This new procedure ensures adequate skin for reconstruction of nasal columella and partial tip, minimizes rotation angle, reduces the angular folding of the pedicle, furthermore limits deformation of the upper lip. "Domino flaps" are a valuable option for surgeons when reconstructing the total nasal columella. However, it is important to consider whether the patient has a beard at the donor sites.

Nasal columella reconstruction - A comprehensive review of the current techniques

The nasal columella is often described as being one of the most difficult nasal subunits to reconstruct. There are a wide range of indications for columella reconstruction, with defects resulting from ischaemic injuries, trauma, tumour resection, vascular malformations and congenital agenesis/dysgenesis of nasal anatomy. There is a variety of columella reconstruction techniques reported in the literature, giving reconstructive surgeons options when approaching different columella defects. Each technique has surgical pearls and pitfalls as well as advantages and disadvantages. This review aims to give reconstructive surgeons a comprehensive review of currently used columella reconstruction techniques.

Columella reconstruction with an inferiorly-based philtral advancement flap in a cocaine abuser

Nasal columella defects can significantly impair aesthetic appearance. Columella reconstruction can be very challenging for surgeons, especially if due to cocaine abuse. The case of a 32-year-old male patient with subtotal columellar necrosis secondary to cocaine abuse is presented. An inferiorly based philtral advancement flap was performed to cover the defect. Aesthetic outcome was the primary goal of surgery. Reconstruction led to good aesthetic and functional results.

Columellar Incision Scars in Asian Patients Undergoing Open Rhinoplasty

IMPORTANCE

An open approach has been adopted for rhinoplasty because of its wide and undistorted exposure. The formation of a columellar incision scar is the main drawback of this approach.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence and evolution of and risk factors for columellar incision scars in an Asian population.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A retrospective case series of 529 patients who underwent open rhinoplasty was performed in a tertiary care referral center in South Korea from January 1, 2011, to May 31, 2014. Problematic transcolumellar incision scars were categorized into wide and depressed, notching, and hyperpigmented wound types. Follow-up was complete on January 28, 2015, and data were assessed from July 1, 2014, to May 29, 2015.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The incidence of each problematic scar and the time course of erythema evolution were evaluated. Factors affecting the formation of a problematic scar were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 529 patients (176 female and 353 male patients; mean age, 31 [range, 5-70] years), 234 patients with at least 6 months of follow-up underwent evaluation for a problematic scar. Fourteen of the 234 patients (6.0%) had problematic incision scarring (wide and depressed wound, 4 [1.7%]; notching wound, 3 [1.3%]; hyperpigmentation, 4 [1.7%]; marginal incision hypertrophic scar, 2 [0.8%]; and columellar skin necrosis, 1 [0.4%]). Of the 243 patients with regular follow-up who underwent evaluation for erythema evolution, erythematous wounds were found in almost all in the immediate postoperative period and had normalized by a mean (SD) of 66.7 (37.4) postoperative days. Use of costal cartilage as tip graft material was associated with a problematic incision scar (2 of 25 patients [8.0%] vs 6 of 180 patients with other graft material [3.3%]; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort of Asian patients, the incisions used for an open rhinoplasty approach had some problems. However, the low incidence of problematic scars indicates that open rhinoplasty should not be discouraged because of the incision scar.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Long-term comparison of the results of four techniques used for bilateral cleft nose repair: a single surgeon's experience

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate progressive changes in surgical techniques and results, aiming for improved nasal shape in primary bilateral cleft rhinoplasty.

METHODS

This is an institutional review board-approved retrospective study. Ninety-one consecutive patients with bilateral complete cleft lip underwent primary cheiloplasty with four different techniques of nasal reconstruction from 1992 to 2007 as follows: group I, primary rhinoplasty alone; group II, nasoalveolar molding alone; group III, nasoalveolar molding plus primary rhinoplasty; group IV, nasoalveolar molding plus primary rhinoplasty with overcorrection; and group V, patients without cleft lip. The surgical results were analyzed using photographic records obtained at age 3 years. Four measurements and one angle measurement were obtained. A panel assessment was obtained to grade the appearance of the surgical results.

RESULTS

The results are expressed in order from groups I through V. The nostril height-to-width ratio was 0.49, 0.59, 0.62, 0.78, and 0.82, respectively. The nasal tip height-to-nasal width ratio was 0.29, 0.39, 0.49, 0.57, and 0.60. The columella height-to-nasal width ratio was 0.11, 0.18, 0.22, 0.27, and 0.28. The dome-to-columella ratio was 1.88, 1.25, 1.26, 1.14, and 1.10. The nostril area ratio was 1.2, 1.17, 1.13, 1.11, and 1.07. The nasolabial angle was 144.95, 143.98, 121.98, 120.99, and 100.88. Finally, group IV had the best panel assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

The results revealed that group IV had the best overall result. Presurgical nasoalveolar molding followed by primary rhinoplasty with overcorrection resulted in a nasal appearance that was closer to the patients without cleft lip.

Reconstruction of a columellar defect with a nasolabial island flap

Columellar skin defects may be caused by excision of cutaneous malignancy, trauma, or tissue necrosis associated with surgery. Although columellar skin necrosis rarely occurs following rhinoplasty, this condition might be more common when using an external approach than a closed approach. Columellar skin incision performed with exaggerated tip augmentation may cause columellar necrosis. The nasolabial island flap, used unilaterally to cover columellar skin defects, is used for a single-stage reconstruction procedure and is generally not associated with the need for secondary surgeries. This technique is well suited for repairing columellar skin defects. We experienced a patient with columellar skin necrosis occurring after rhinoplasty which was reconstructed using a unilateral single-stage nasolabial island flap.

Subnasale flap for correction of columella base deviation in secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity

OBJECTIVE

To present the effects of subnasale (SN) flap on the correction of deviated columella base in patients with secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal (UCLN) deformity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The patients were 6 adult Koreans with cleft cases (mean age, 29.1 y; range, 20-43 y; 1 man and 5 women; secondary UCLN deformity with columella base deviation). After the open rhinoplasty with the Padovan incision had been completed for correction of the secondary UCLN deformity, the SN flap was used for correction of the deviated columella base. The design of the SN flap started from the central portion of the SN region that will be the reconstructed columella and extended to the nasal floor in the larger nostril site. Then, the SN flap was transposed into the smaller nostril site. The columella skin was also elevated and placed into the larger nostril site with the distal end inserting into the donor site. The patients' follow-up period was 16 to 40 months.

RESULTS

The SN flap after the open rhinoplasty with the Padovan incision resulted in minimal scarring on the donor and recipient sites. The deviated columella base was straightened in all cases. During the surgical follow-up period, there was no recurrence of the columella base deviation in any patient and no other noteworthy complications were found.

CONCLUSIONS

For correction of the columella base deviation in patients with secondary UCLN deformity, the SN flap can be a viable treatment option.

Correction of pollybeak and dimpling deformities of the nasal tip in the contracted, short nose by the use of a supratip transposition flap

OBJECTIVE

To discuss our experiences with the use of a supratip transposition flap to simultaneously correct pollybeak deformity and nasal tip dimpling.

DESIGN

From April 1, 2007, through August 31, 2008, 10 Asian women with a contracted, short nose that exhibited nasal tip dimpling were retrospectively included in this study. By use of an open approach, the osteocartilaginous framework was elongated first. If the pollybeak and dimpling deformities of the nasal tip were found after the closure of the transcolumellar incision, a supratip transposition flap was designed to correct the combined deformities over the supratip and nasal tip areas. Finally, bilateral marginal incisions were closed.

RESULTS

The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 16 months, with an average of 5 months. No immediate complications were noted in this small series. Four of 10 patients required minor flap revisions, with satisfactory results attained thereafter. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic result after scar maturation.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the supratip transposition flap not only corrects pollybeak deformity but also resolves dimpled nasal tip depression. The techniques presented herein add to the armamentarium of revision rhinoplasty surgeons, especially those dedicated to the treatment of the Asian patient who undergoes rhinoplasty.