[Reconstruction of the alae nasi by folded nasolabial flap]

Reconstruction of the nose is very old surgical procedure and, in fact, represents the beginnings of plastic surgery. In reconstruction, an effort has to be made in order to achieve a normal look. A surgeon must choose carefully the method of reconstruction, taking into consideration the skin color, texture and nasal topography. Full-thickness nasal defects in alar region are very difficult for reconstruction due to anatomic characteristics and structures, which are very important for normal breathing and cosmetic result. Our study analyzed 16 patients with full-thickness defect of alae nasi. Folded nasolabial flaps were used for reconstruction of these defects. Good results were achieved in all cases. The flap was vital. No flap necrosis was reported in any of these patients. The lining of the nose was good. Postoperatively, the alar edge was thickened, but it became thinned after six months. The incision in donor's region was well placed in the natural line of nasolabial fold. It was concluded that folded nasolabial flap was extremely good one-step procedure for reconstruction of full-thickness defects of alar region.