Outcome of modified turn in flaps for the lining with primary cartilage support in nasal reconstruction

Turning in adjacent skin from the residual nose to line a full-thickness defect is still a controversial option. Text books continue to perpetuate that such flaps are poorly vascularized and may not survive if longer than 1.5 cm. The rationale of our study was to challenge the traditional thoughts about the turn-in flaps for the lining and describe our modified technique of raising these flaps so that well-vascularized thin tissue can be provided for the lining. The study was conducted at the Department of Plastic Surgery, KEMU, Lahore, from January 2007 to March 2011. Eighteen patients were included. They had posttraumatic full-thickness nasal defect of variable extent, involving the lower third of the nose. In the first stage of reconstruction, the epithelialized portion and 5-mm portion of normal adjoining skin were dermabraded. The residual skin of nasal dorsum, side walls, and alae was turned in to form inner lining of 2 nostrils. These flaps were based on healthy dermabraded skin to ensure adequate blood supply. Residual septal and conchal cartilages were used for primary support. Standard ipsilateral paramedian forehead flap with slight oblique design was used for resurfacing. Final assessment of airway patency and alar rim contour was made by the patient at 6 months as satisfactory, just satisfactory, and not satisfactory. There were 12 female and 6 male patients. There was necrosis of distal portion of the forehead flap in 1 case. Partial graft loss at the donor site with bone exposure was noted in another case. There was partial dehiscence and necrosis of turndown flap in 3cases. Mean flap size was 2.05 ± 0.28 cm. As regards airway patency, 12 patients were satisfied, 4 patients were just satisfied, and 2 patients were unsatisfied. When asked about alar rim contour, 3 patients said it to be satisfactory, 9 patients found it just satisfactory, and 6 patients declared it unsatisfactory. Nasal turndown flaps provide reliable tissue for the lining and allow primary placement of cartilage grafts.