Lower eyelid orbicularis oculi musculocutaneous flap for reconstruction of nasal tip and supratip defects

In clinical practice, there are many ways to reconstruct nasal defects. Despite this fact, achieving a desirable image and better functional results is still a problem. Banner, bilobed, and dorsal nasal flaps have recently been used to reconstruct defects up to 2 cm. For defects larger than 2 cm, flaps raised from the frontal region and face are used. The major disadvantages of these flaps are the visible scar and the frequent need for a second session.

The authors used orbicularis oculi musculocutaneous flaps raised from the lower eyelid, containing branches of the angular artery and the infraorbital artery in its pedicle, to reconstruct nasal tip and supratip defects. Between February of 2002 and March of 2004, reconstruction with orbicularis oculi musculocutaneous island flaps raised from the lower eyelid was performed on 15 patients (eight men and seven women) with nasal tip and supratip defects. Thirteen defects were secondary to basal cell carcinoma and two were secondary to congenital melanocytic nevus. The diameter of the defects ranged between 2.1 and 3.1 cm (average diameter, 2.5 cm). Patients were between 25 and 72 years old (average age, 52 years).

Patients were followed up for an average period of 6 months (range, 1 to 12 months). In two patients (13.3 percent), postoperative venous problems were seen but resolved in 3 days. Partial necrosis developed in one patient (6.6 percent). In one patient (6.6 percent), minimal scleral show was seen in tolerable ranges. Neither ectropion nor other eyelid deformities were seen.

The authors believe that this flap is a good alternative for reconstruction of nasal defects because of its advantages, namely, the need for only a single session, minimal donor-site morbidity, better color and thickness match, and easy and faster surgery.