The transnasal advancement flap: A technique for medial canthal area defects

AIM. To illustrate an alternative technique for reconstructing defects in the medial canthal area following tumour removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Eight consecutive patients who underwent Mohs(1) micrographic surgery for removal of a basal cell carcinoma in the medial canthal area were prospectively recruited. An experienced dermatologist trained in Mohs(1) micrographic surgery removed the tumour, and subsequently an oculoplastic surgeon reconstructed the defect. An incision is made from the superior end of the defect superomedially towards the midline of the dorsum of the nose following one of the natural lines of the skin (spec name). The incision runs in arcuate fashion just medial to the eyebrow and then reaches the dorsum of the nose and extends on the contralateral aspect of the nose towards the medial canthal area. The skin is then undermined to free up the newly formed flap. The flap is advanced towards the lesion and fixed intra-dermally with Vicryl Rapide(R) sutures to ensure anchoring into the concavity of the medial canthal region. The skin is then sutured with prolene sutures. RESULTS. The defects presented were oval or round in shape with diameters ranging from 0.5 to 2 cm. In all cases the transnasal flap covered the entire area and the defect was successfully reconstructed. Mean follow-up is 10.8 months (+/-4.5 SD) (range 4-17 months); all patients had an excellent cosmetic result and were subjectively satisfied. CONCLUSIONS. The transnasal advancement flap seems to have some advantages over the usual reconstruction techniques in use to repair medium defects in the medial canthal area. These are the avoidance of vertical scars in the glabellar area, eyebrow hair is not transposed into the medial canthal area, the skin match is excellent, both in colour and thickness, and surgical scars are hidden within the natural lines of the nasal bridge. We advocate the use of this technique for all minor to medium skin defects.