Review of nasal reconstruction

Nasal reconstruction after tumor extirpation is a necessity. The aim of the current study was to present the Greek experience in this field for a long period.

Charts of patients who underwent nasal reconstruction, from 1985 to 2006, were reviewed retrospectively. They were analyzed in relation to their age, sex, location of the defect, histologic diagnosis of the lesion, type of reconstruction, recurrence of the tumor, and final outcome.

A total of 1585 patients underwent nasal reconstruction by the senior author (O.P.) during a period of 21 years in our department. A clear male preponderance was shown (845 or 53.3% vs 740 or 46.7%). Their age ranged from 13 to 97 years with a mean of 65.9 years. One thousand five hundred ninety-three different tumors had been resected during the studied period (some patients had >1 lesion). Basal cell carcinoma was the most common type, affecting 1399 patients (87.8%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma, which was identified in 109 patients (6.8%). Cutaneous melanoma was not a frequent diagnosis. Excision and primary closure represented the most frequent type of reconstruction, followed by flap reconstruction and any type of graft. Sidewalls were the usual location in the whole population. Recurrence rate was 3.4%.

Nasal reconstruction remains a challenge for every plastic surgeon. Efficient diagnosis and appropriate reconstruction are prerequisites for the final desired outcome.