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Updated: Aug 6, 2025
Endoscopic Septoplasty with Limited Two-line Resection: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Septal Deviation
Published on: June 20, 2018
The single-stage melolabial flap for internal lining of full thickness defects of the nasal ala
Tyler S Okland1, Sarah R Akkina1, David Perrault2
1Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, USA.
Background:
Full-thickness defects of the nasal ala necessitate composite repair of the nasal lining, cartilage and soft tissue envelope. Repair of the nasal lining is particularly challenging due to access and geometry of this area.
Objective:
To evaluate the melolabial flap as a single stage operation for repair of full-thickness nasal ala defects.
Methods:
Retrospective study of seven adult patients with full-thickness nasal ala defects who underwent melolabial flap repair. Complications and operative technique were recorded and described.
Results:
Of the seven patients who underwent melolabial flap repair, each had excellent coverage of the defect postoperatively. There were two cases of mild ipsilateral congestion, and no revision procedures performed.
Conclusion:
The melolabial flap is a versatile reconstructive option for repair of the internal lining of the nasal ala, and in our series there were no significant complications or revision procedures performed.
