[Reconstruction of external nose defect with local flaps].

OBJECTIVE: The role of different local flaps in small external nasal skin defect reconstruction was discussed.

METHOD: Forty-two cases of the small size nasal defects (diameter < 2 cm) were repaired with local external nose flap (includes the dorsal nasal flap, nasolabial flap and bilobed flap). The clinical and follow-up data were analyzed of patients with small external nasal skin defects, who accepted different local flaps reconstruction. Dorsal nasal flap, nasolabial flaps (includes island flap, slid flap and axial flap) and bilobed flap were tailored to reconstruct different external nasal defect. Twenty-seven patients were male and fifteen patients were female, the patients' age ranged from 28 to 74 years, the median age was 61 years. Thirty-eight cases resulted from resection of skin malignant tumor and four cases were benign lesions. The diameter of defects was 1-2 cm. The defects were reconstructed by single-stage dorsal nasal flap in 7 cases. There were 30 cases of caudolateral nasal defects were reconstructed by nasolabial flap, single-stage island nasolabial flap in 7 cases, axial flap in 18 cases and slid flap in 5 cases. Superior lateral defects were reconstructed by single-stage bilobed flap in 5 cases.

RESULT: All defects were repaired successfully. All tissue flaps survived and had not necrosis. There was no tumor recurrence during 3 months to 2 years follow-up.

CONCLUSION: The dorsal nasal flap, nasolabial flap and bilobed flap can be used safely and effectively to repair the small external nasal defect and have satisfactory curative effect.