A case report of the external nose reconstruction using forehead flap and auricular composite grafts

Park, Bong Wook; Byun, June Ho

Abstract

There are various surgical methods for reconstruction of the nasal defect. Among them, there is some difference in the choosing the proper reconstruction method according to defect size and position. When the defect involved the tip, the columella, and the alar, the local flaps may be preferred, because they can provide sufficient amount of tissue. However, the composite grafts from the ear have been effectively used in reconstructions of smaller sized defects of the columella and ala. We excised total external nose because of squamous cell carcinoma on the nasal tip, columella, and nasal septum. We reconstructed the nasal tip, both alae, and columella with forehead flap. After division of the regional flap, we found partial necrosis of the columella and narrowness of the nostril. So, we used chondrocutaneous auricular composite grafts for reconstruction of the columella and both nostrils. We used the file-folder designed auricular composite graft for reconstruction of columella and the wedge shaped ear helical composite grafts for widening of nostrils. 6 months later, there were no significant problems, except some mismatched dark color in the grafted alar tissues. Here, we report a successful reconstruction of large nasal defect using combined two different reconstructive methods.