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Updated: May 27, 2026
Endoscopic Septoplasty with Limited Two-line Resection: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Septal Deviation
Published on: June 20, 2018
The spiral flap for nasal alar reconstruction: our experience with 63 patients
Matthew J Mahlberg1, Brian C Leach, Joel Cook
1Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29403, USA.
Objective:
To describe our patient selection, design, execution, and results with the spiral flap for distal nasal surgical defects after Mohs micrographic surgery.
Materials And Methods:
We performed a retrospective analysis of all spiral flaps performed over a 5-year period. Sixty-three patients were identified, and charts and photographs were examined. Surgical defects were classified according to alar location. All follow-up encounters were reviewed to assess for complications and need for revisionary procedures. Intraoperative photographs were taken of representative cases to describe the surgical technique.
Results:
Sixty-three patients on whom the spiral flap was performed were identified over a 5-year period. The flap was used to successfully reconstruct alar defects ranging in size from 5 to 15 mm in diameter. No persistent complications were noted.
Conclusion:
The spiral flap is a reproducible, one-stage flap for small to medium-sized defects of the nasal ala and alar groove that consistently produces topographic restoration with minimal risk of aesthetic or functional complication.
