Frontonasal flap for reconstruction of complete alar defects

BACKGROUND. It is difficult to reconstruct a satisfactory ala. Axial frontonasal flap has been common in reconstruction of nasal tip. We modified this flap to reconstruct nasal ala. OBJECTIVE. A modified axial frontonasal flap was applied for reconstruction of complete unilateral alar defects in two patients. METHODS. Skin from an intact nasal tip covered the alar defect. The resulting defect in the nasal tip was covered with dorsal skin from the nose. Extended mucosa or a hinged nasolabial flap tons used to line the mucosal side of the reconstructed ala. RESULTS. The outcome judged by shape, and texture, was satisfactory. This technique can be employed tinder field block. CONCLUSION The modified frontonasal flap is one of the ideal techniques to reconstruct an entire nasal ala. (C) 1996 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.