[Reconstruction of alar defects with the use of medially based nasolabial turnover flaps]

Many techniques have been described to restore through-and-through alar defects both for the vestibular lining and the lobular skin. This study aimed to present our results with medially based nasolabial turnover flaps in the reconstruction of alar defects.

Medially based nasolabial turnover flaps were used in 11 patients (3 females, 8 males; age range 27 to 65 years) who had through-and-through alar defects due to trauma (n=3) and carcinoma (3 squamous cell, 5 basal cell carcinoma) excisions. The mean follow-up period was 17 months (range 8 to 24 months).

Infection was encountered in only one patient and was successfully treated with antibiotic therapy. All the flaps survived and no recurrence occurred during the follow-up period. The patients were content with the outcome and, despite recommendations, were not willing to have a revision surgery. No problems were seen associated with nasal obstruction.

Despite the need for minor revisions, esthetic and functional results with medially based nasolabial turnover flaps were satisfactory from the patients' standpoint.