The use of mucosa-lined flap in nasal reconstruction

Summary A relatively new method of nasal reconstruction using a mucosa-lined flap is described. Surgery with mucosa-lined flaps is not yet commonly performed. Two cases are described in which this technique was employed. In the first case, a deeply penetrating squamous cell carcinoma of the right side of the nose, including the nasal mucosa, was excised. The nasal lining defect was closed with a free full thickness oral mucosa graft, and a median forehead flap was used to cover the nasal defect. In the second case, an ulcerated squamous cell carcinoma on the left side of the nose was excised and two-stage reconstruction performed. During the first stage, a free oral mucosa graft was transplanted into the nasal defect with its mucosal surface facing into the nasal cavity. A median forehead island flap was transferred to cover the inner layer of the graft. In the second stage, the obliterated nasal orifice was opened, and the inner lining was constructed by a segment of oral mucosa wrapped around a silicone nostril retainer. Application of an oral mucosa-lined flap would seem to be a superior method for nose reconstruction, since it does not distort the shape of the nose, and it reestablishes a patent nostril and preserves the delicate appearance of the nose.