Reconstruction of Proximal Nasal and Medial Canthal defects with Island Composite Glabellar Flaps

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: It is difficult to reconstruct nasal root defects because of complicated anatomy and function of the nose and eyelids, donor site morbidities, and aesthetic results. So, choosing suitable one of various reconstructive methods is very important and difficult. We report the island composite glabellar flap as an alternative reconstructive method of proximal nasal and medial canthal area. METHODS: From May 2005 to January 2007, we performed 8 cases of the island composite glabellar flap to reconstruct the defects in proximal nasal and medial canthal area after resection of skin cancer. The flap was elevated with the nasal skin, subcutaneous fat tissue, and procerus muscle based on the dorsal nasal branch of the angular artery. The flap donor site was closed in a V-Y fashion. RESULTS: This result was satisfactory in point of color, texture and donor site scar. There was no major complication such as wound disruption, hematoma, and atrophy of flap. But flap bulkiness was observed in one case. CONCLUSIONS: This island composite glabellar flap has several advantages in reconstruction of proximal nasal and medial canthal defects. This flap has reliable vascular pedicle and can be moved to multiple direction and has more mobility than other local flaps. Also, aesthetic outcome of the donor and the recipient site was good. We believe that this flap is a useful technique as a treatment of proximal nasal and medial canthal defects