Repair of Asian nasal subunit defects using nasolabial perforator flaps: A retrospective study

The application of nasolabial perforator flap for nasal reconstruction has been reported previously with satisfactory outcomes, but the outcomes and risk factors of postoperative adverse events have been unclear to plastic surgeons.

To statistically analyze the effectiveness of the nasolabial perforator flap in nasal reconstruction and the risk factor of postoperative complications and re-operation.

This retrospective study evaluated 58 Chinese patients who underwent nasal reconstruction with the nasolabial perforator flap from 2009 to 2021. The esthetic and blood supply outcomes were measured by plastic surgeons on a 5-point Likert scale. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors associated with postoperative complications and re-operation.

The mean age of the cohort was 66.4 ± 2.0 years. The defect size ranged from 6.5 × 5.5 mm² to 40 × 70 mm² , and 48.3% of defects covered more than one nasal subunit. Venous congestion occurred in 4.9% of flaps, and the immediate overall postoperative score was 7.72/10. More than one nasal subunit of involvement was the risk factor associated with re-operation (p = 0.004), but no risk factor was associated with complications.

The nasolabial perforator flap is reliable for nasal reconstruction with good esthetic outcomes and fewer complications. However, a large number of involved subunits may lead to multiple surgeries for flap trimming in easterners.