The frontonasal flap for increased exposure in posttraumatic nasal deformity: a technical overview

Nasal reconstruction continues to be a surgical challenge. The prominent location of the nose, the unique quality and texture of its skin, and the intricacies of its cartilaginous and bony infrastructure demand careful attention to fine detail. Attempts to refine reconstructive techniques have resulted in a myriad of local flaps. The frontonasal flap is well-described and reliable, but it is infrequently used. A brief review of the literature is presented. The authors describe a unique case of a 64-year-old woman with posttraumatic nasal tip and dorsal deformity. The frontonasal flap provided soft tissue coverage for the nasal tip and allowed excellent exposure for reconstruction of the hard nasal framework with cartilage and bone grafts. It provides local tissue with excellent contour, color, and texture match, and can be performed in one stage.