ABSTRACT
Hatchet rotation-advancement flap is a well-known flap design, which is a worthwhile option in the reconstruction of lateral nasal region skin defects. In this study, the author's experience with 3 different designs of hatchet flaps, for the reconstruction of the defects in 3 different parts of the lateral nasal region, has been presented. All flaps in 31 clinical cases were planned from the cheek and nasolabial region. For the defects in the upper 1/3 part, flaps were planned in advancement type, for the middle 1/3 part, flaps were planned in rotation-advancement type, and for the lower 1/3 part, flaps were planned in rotation type. Satisfactory results were achieved in all patients except in patients having defects in the lower 1/3 part. In reconstruction of lateral nasal region defects, hatchet flap has different advantages such as versatility, better tissue match, and short final scar in the nasolabial fold. When planned in rotation type, for the lower 1/3 part, the ratio of complications increases significantly, which necessitates considering other flap options as the first-line choice of reconstruction for this region.
