[The bridge flap concept in closure of large defects of the nasal septum]

In the bridge flap technique for the repair of large defects of the nasal septum mucoperichondrium and mucoperiostium are elevated from the entire septum and nasal roof above of the septal defect on one side, as well as on the opposite side from the septum and the floor of the nose below the defect. Bridge flaps are created by longitudinal incisions along the nasal roof and the lateral wall of the inferior nasal meatus, and then drawn over the defect. Additional filling of the cartilaginous defect with an autogenous cartilage graft from the remaining septum, auricle or rib is regarded as a condition sine qua non, because a postoperative dehiscence of the mucous membrane can heal spontaneously over autogenous cartilage only. We have used this method on eight patients: closure of the septal defect was achieved without difficulty in all.