Reconstruction of Nasal Cleft Deformities Using Expanded Forehead Flaps: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Congenital nasal clefts present complex reconstructive challenges due to anatomical intricacies and potential craniofacial associations.
• Reconstruction often requires substantial soft tissue, typically necessitating forehead flaps.
• Limited tissue availability due to cranial defects or low hairlines can complicate reconstruction, highlighting the need for tissue expansion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of tissue expansion in the surgical reconstruction of congenital nasal clefts.

Main Methods:

• The study included 9 patients undergoing nasal reconstruction for congenital nasal clefts affecting multiple subunits.
• Expanded forehead flaps were utilized for the reconstructive procedures.
• The average tissue expansion achieved was 200 ml, with reconstruction performed in three stages.

Main Results:

• Expanded forehead flaps provided optimal skin coverage for nasal subunits including the ala, columella, and dorsum.
• This reconstructive approach resulted in minimal scarring at the donor site.

Conclusions:

• Forehead flap expansion is a successful technique for reconstructing complex, multi-unit congenital nasal cleft deformities.
• Tissue expansion offers a viable solution for obtaining adequate soft tissue in challenging nasal reconstructions.