Facial artery perforator flaps in reconstructing nasal defects: the evolution and challenges / 中华整形外科杂志

The facial artery perforator flap has the advantages of minimal donor site morbidity, acceptable appearance and function at recipent area, which brings its wide application in reconstruction of facial small and medium-sized defects. Nasal defects, as the most important aesthetic unit at face, require three-dimennsional and precise reconstruction. The article reviewed the anatomic study and the current status of the clinical applications of this technique in reconstruction of nasal defects, as well as the existing questions. The prospective application of SPY system in localization of facial artery perforator was also analyzed.

Treatment of nasal ala nodular congenital melanocytic naevus with carbon dioxide laser and Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

Total excision of congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) is not always feasible. We here present our experience of using carbon dioxide laser and Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser to treat nodular CMN of the nasal ala. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and/or carbon dioxide laser were used to treat eight cases of nasal ala nodular CMN. Carbon dioxide laser was utilized to ablate all visible melanocytic tissue within one session. Ablation was performed so as to reproduce the original anatomical contours as closely as possible. Recurrences were treated in the same way. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was also used to irradiate all target lesions to achieve the desired end point within one session. The intervals between treatments were at least 8 weeks. Recurrence of melanocytic tissue, scar formation, pigmentation, depigmentation, and the degree of patient satisfaction were recorded at every visit. Two of the eight patients were treated with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Although, the lesion lightened in one of them, the hyperplastic tissue persisted. Eventually, these two patients, along with the remaining six patients, were successfully treated with a carbon dioxide laser. We recommend carbon dioxide laser treatment for nodular nasal CMN. This simple treatment does not involve skin flap transplantation and has good cosmetic outcomes. Although Q-switched Nd:YAG laser does lighten some nasal nodular CMNs, it does not eradicate the hyperplastic tissue, and is therefore not an effective treatment for nodular nasal CMN.