Arch Aesthetic Plast Surg.  2022 Jan;28(1):31-35. 10.14730/aaps.2021.00381.

Locoregional flaps versus skin grafts in the nose: aesthetic considerations after cancer ablation

• Yoon S
• Kim Y
• Choi Y

• KMID: 2525309
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14730/aaps.2021.00381

Abstract

Background
The annual incidence of skin cancer has been increasing, and surgical ablation is presently the treatment of choice for skin cancer. However, it leaves soft tissue defects that require reconstruction. The methods for reconstruction include locoregional flaps (LRFs) and full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs). We compared these two surgical methods for reconstruction of defects in the nose, which is prominently visible and the most common site of facial skin cancer, and assessed the cosmetic results by evaluating the scars.
Methods
This retrospective study was conducted between July 2012 and January 2021. Patients were evaluated for scars after at least 6 months of follow-up. Patients were divided into LRF and FTSG groups. The scars were evaluated using the Vancouver Scar Scale.
Results
In total, 27 patients were included in this study. Their mean age was 66.8 years. Eighteen patients underwent LRF, and nine patients underwent FTSG. The average defect size was 1.55 cm² in the LRF group, and 1.38 cm² in the FTSG group. The average scar score was 1.44 points in the LRF group and 3.67 points in the FTSG group. The LRF group showed significantly lower total scores than the FTSG group.
Conclusions
Although LRFs and FTSGs are useful reconstructive methods for nasal soft tissue defects, this study showed that LRFs are superior to FTSGs in terms of aesthetic results.

Keyword

Surgical flaps / Skin graft / Soft tissue defects / Skin cancer