ADVANCEMENT CHEEK FLAP FOR A SINGLE STAGE RECONSTRUCTION OF POST-ONCOLOGICAL NASAL SIDEWALL LARGE DEFECTS 

Objective: Reconstruction of soft tissue nasal sidewall loss has an important influence on the appearance of the nose. Numerous techniques are described in the literature but a primary reconstruction with a final good result is not often possible. The authors present an advancement cheek flap for a single-stage reconstruction of post-oncological nasal sidewall large defects. Methods: Between January 2009 and July 2012, sixteen patients with age ranged between 54 and 74 years underwent excision of skin tumors of the nasal sidewall and immediate reconstruction with an advancement cheek flap nourished by perforators from the facial branch of the superficial temporal artery. The defects size ranged from 2.6 x 2.6cm to 3.5 x 5cm. Results: Oncological radicality was obtained in all cases. The aesthetic results were excellent in all of the patients. No secondary revision was needed. Conclusions: The authors’ advancement cheek flap can be considered the first choice for reconstruction of split-thickness defect of the nasal sidewall larger than 2.5cm because it reestablishes in one stage the nasal contour detail thus preserving the normal facial topography.