Nasolabial flap: a workhorse for the reconstruction of nasal ala after tumor resection

ABSTRACT

To share our experience of the superiorly based nasolabial flap in the reconstruction of nasal ala. This experimental study was conducted at the Plastic Surgery and Burn Unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from June 2011 to December 2013. A total of 56 patients underwent reconstruction of nasal ala after excision of malignant skin tumors. Superiorly based nasolabial flap was performed in all the patients who underwent tumor excision and required reconstruction of nasal ala. The flap was designed immediately lateral to the nasolabial fold. The flap then dissected, elevated and set into the defect. Out of 56 patients, 39 were males and 17 were female. Forty nine patients had basal carcinoma and 7 patients had squamous cell carcinoma. In all patients the flaps survived completely. Complications observed were scar hypertrophy in 3 patients, bulkier ala in two patients and partial dehiscence in 2 patients. In our experience nasolabial flap is a very reliable flap for the alar defects after tumor resection. Besides providing a good colour match, the flap is easy to dissect and inset