Reconstructing the Glabella and Nasal Root

Defects involving the glabella and nasal root require an optimal cosmetic outcome due to its critical position in the mid-face. Glabellar defects often involve multiple cosmetic subunits, hair variations, and various skin thicknesses (forehead superiorly, eyebrows / eyelids laterally, nasal root and dorsum inferiorly), further complicating the reconstruction. The eyebrows and natural concavity of this area must be preserved if possible. Repair options in this location vary by personal preference and experience rather than literature-based outcomes. Key considerations include the location of the defect (glabella vs nasal root +/- brow +/- medial canthus), the position of the defect (midline or off-center) and the texture/thickness of the skin (thick glabellar skin or thin skin of medial canthus). The rich blood supply in this area has made local flaps the preferred option for moderate to large defects. However, two pitfalls for local flaps are pincushioning resulting in a “bull nose” and the possibility of causing synophrys. Often, a combination of flaps, grafts, and/or primary closures are necessary to adequately close large glabellar/nasal root defects. There is a paucity of literature for reconstructive options of the glabella and nasal root, and in the authors’ experience, even experienced surgeons struggle to decide on these. We present a series of reconstructive approaches for the majority of moderate to large cutaneous glabellar and nasal root defects with excellent functional and aesthetic results. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(9):983-988. doi:10.36849/JDD.6132.