Application of modified Rintala flap in nasal tip reconstruction

For nasal tip reconstruction, we must consider optimal results including color match, good tissue coverage, excellent flap viability, and good aesthetic result.

In this study, 25 patients who had nasal tip skin tumors were included, and reconstruction of the defects by dorsal nasal advancement flap (Rintala) was done. The advantages and disadvantages of the Rintala flap were described for all patients with nasal tip basal cell carcinoma (BCC). All patients filled out the consent form before reconstruction and tumor surgery.

In this study, 25 patients (11 women and 14 men) ranging from 25 to 72 years old (mean, 53 years) underwent operation with dorsal nasal advancement flap (Rintala). Reconstruction of nasal tip defects after complete tumor excision was done with free margin. After sedation analgesia, we used bilateral parallel incision in both sides of the nasal sidewalls from corner to glabellar region; Burow triangles are excised bilaterally in lateral to the base of the flap.

In case of midline tip defects with 1.5 to 2.5 cm in diameter, a modified Rintala flap is a good choice for reconstruction of this difficult area. This is a superiority-based randomized flap that makes an aesthetic nasal tip after tumor excisions without any fear from ischemia or necrosis of the flap.