A New Approach to an Old Flap: A Technique to Augment Venous Drainage from the Paramedian Forehead Flap

Handheld Doppler Detection and Light Illumination for Vascular Mapping in Nasal Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The application of the expanded forehead flap in nasal reconstruction has the advantage of being able to provide a sufficient amount of flap and can provide good aesthetic results. For an expanded forehead flap to survive, there must be adequate arterial supply and venous return. Despite this, limited studies have been conducted on preoperative vascular mapping and the design of the expanded forehead flap for nasal reconstruction. In this article, the authors present a technique of hand-held Doppler detection with light illumination for vascular mapping.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included patients who underwent total nasal reconstruction with expanded forehead flaps between May 2016 and April 2021. The design of the flap was based on the result of preoperative vascular detection by hand-held Doppler detection assisted by light illumination.

RESULTS

A total of 32 patients underwent total nasal reconstruction with an expanded forehead flap. The distal part of the flap became necrotic 1 week after the surgery in 2 patients. Following dressing changes and the administration of antibiotics, the distal flap in these patients survived well. No complications were reported in the long term.

CONCLUSIONS

Hand-held Doppler detection combined with light illumination is a convenient and effective preoperative design method for nasal reconstruction with an expanded forehead flap. All flaps survived well in the long term.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Forehead Flap Practices: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Background: The paramedian forehead flap (PMFF) is a well-established technique utilized for reconstruction of complex nasal defects. Objective: To identify the different techniques and management of patients undergoing PMFF reconstruction and compare these with current literature. Methods: Members of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery were sent a practice survey highlighting various nuances in PMFF reconstruction. The survey included questions about flap design, operative techniques, and perioperative care. Results: In total, 172 responses were received (14% response rate). Mean years of practice after fellowship was 15.8 years with most respondents performing either 1-5 (33.1%) or 6-10 (27.3%) PMFFs per year. Common practices included the use of general anesthesia, elevation of PMFF in the subgaleal plane (59.6%), and pedicle division at 3 weeks (80%) (p < 0.001). Complication rates ranged between 1% and 5%. The nose was the most common site for revision (p < 0.001) and the average number of secondary procedures after forehead flap division was 1.1 (standard deviation 0.81). The most variability in responses was seen for methods of internal lining reconstruction. Conclusion: Reconstructive surgeons frequently divide the PMFF pedicle at 3 weeks or later and have variable approaches to reconstruction of the internal lining with low complication rates overall.

Forked Paramedian forehead flap combined with nasolabial flap for pre-radiation coverage of exposed maxilla in the Total Rhinectomy patient

Total rhinectomy is ontologically necessary for large and locally invasive carcinomas of the nasal cavity owing to the complex three-dimensional structure of the nose. Reconstruction options include singular or combined options of local tissue rearrangement, free flap reconstruction, and prosthetic reconstruction which may be delayed in the setting of post-ablative radiation therapy. If significant bony exposure is present prior to radiation, there is a substantial risk of osteoradionecrosis and the ensuing sequalae. In these cases, coverage of the bony defect may be advantageous prior to radiation and final reconstructive treatment. We present a case of a total rhinectomy defect for squamous cell carcinoma in a patient who had significant bony exposure prior to radiation which was resurfaced with a combined forked paramedian flap and nasolabial flap. The patient went on to be treated with a full course of radiation and had planned for a post-treatment nasal prosthesis.