Advancement flap for the reconstruction of nasal ala and lateral nasal tip defects

Abstract

Repair of nasal ala and lateral nasal tip defects provide unique reconstructive challenges. This article describes a one-staged advancement flap for repair of such defects. The flap may be medially-based, laterally-based, or bilaterally-based. Sharp undermining is recommended, and a standing cone must be removed superior to the defect, perpendicular to the alar rim. Temporary alar rim flattening is accepted, and normalizes with time. This reconstruction has provided excellent functional and cosmetic results for defects measuring <1 cm in diameter on the nasal ala and lateral nasal tip.