[Folded paramedian forehead flap - Surgical technique: About 17 patients]

In this article, we present our academic experience with the reconstruction of the dorsum and nasal tip by folded paramedian forehead flap described by F.J. Ménick (LFPP). We take a closer look at the technical aspects of this surgical technique and the aesthetic results at the donor sites. We compare our surgical technique with those reported in the literature.

A monocentric retrospective study was carried out on patients operated on by LFPP for surgical reconstructions of the nasal dorsum and nasal tip between January 2017 and December 2022. In each case, we analysed the typology of the type of substance loss for reconstruction, the type of reconstruction and the aesthetic result of reconstruction. A satisfaction survey on the aesthetic and functional results was sent to patients who had undergone LFPP reconstruction at 6 months post-op.

There was no necrosis, even partial in any of the 17 cases of LFPP reconstruction. The average size of the substance loss was 3.5±0.6cm [2.5-5]. The number of aesthetic subunit (SUE) to be reconstructed was 2.6±0.9 [1-4]. The etiologies of substance loss were mainly related to skin tumors, including 58% basal cell carcinoma basal cell carcinoma (n=10), 24% squamous cell carcinoma (n=4), 6% adenoid cystic carcinoma adenoid cystic carcinoma (n=1) and 12% melanoma (n=2). The patients were very satisfied overall, both from a functional point of view with a questionnaire result of 89% (8.94±1.98 [2-10]), aesthetic, with a result of 87% (8.76±1.75 [3-10]).

Among the various techniques for reconstructing the nasal pyramid, including paramedian 2-stage paramedian forehead flaps combined with a local flap of the internal lining, the technique of reconstruction described by J.F. Menick using a 3-stage paramedian folded flap is the most reliable option for complex nasal reconstructions with low donor-site morbidity.