Reconstruction of the nasal tip using a nasalis myocutaneous flap

Abstract

Reconstruction of nasal tip defects is a technical and aesthetic challenge for dermatological surgeons, due to the limited reservoir of available skin and its thick, inflexible nature. The myocutaneous flap described in this paper, using the vascular pedicle of the transverse nasalis muscle, is an excellent option for repair of defects of the nasal tip. It provides a cosmetically superior result to skin grafting, particularly in noses of 'sebaceous' quality, by providing similar local skin. The flap maintains normal nasal tip contour and, being an axial pattern flap, its blood supply is reliable.

Modified Single-Sling Myocutaneous Island Pedicle Flap: Series of 61 Reconstructions

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Flap constructions based solely on the transverse nasalis are less prevalent. Some innovations reported in the literature include the construction of muscular flaps without overlying skin 13 and muscular islands undermined with greater perpendicularity to the skin surface. 14 Bilevel undermining above and below the transverse nasalis muscle in the construction of a myocutaneous island flap produces a bilateral muscular sling with exceptional vascular supply.…”