FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON VIRGINIA
Nasal Reconstruction
Dr. V restores the form and function of the nose after trauma, cancer removal, or congenital defects. She often employs complex techniques using cartilage grafts and local or regional flaps to achieve a natural appearance and maintain airway integrity.
Nasal Reconstruction
Dr. V restores the form and function of the nose after trauma, cancer removal, or congenital defects. She often employs complex techniques using cartilage grafts and local or regional flaps to achieve a natural appearance and maintain airway integrity.
FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON VIRGINIA
What Is Nasal Reconstruction?
The nose is a crucially important structure in terms of facial identity and aesthetics, and it also creates the most complex and difficult challenges in terms of surgical reconstruction after nasal injury or trauma. Nasal reconstructive surgery is performed to address and repair nasal deformities or structural defects produced by:
- Previous rhinoplasty surgery
- Surgery for the treatment of cancer
- Congenital (genetic) malformations
Nasal Reconstruction Options
After conducting a thorough assessment of your medical history and evaluating the structural anatomy of your face, Dr. V will create a customized treatment plan that includes one or more of the following surgical techniques:
Skin Graft
Primarily utilized for the treatment of small or superficial nasal defects, a skin graft is frequently taken from the neck, forehead, or behind or in front of the ear. Skin grafts may be employed as a nasal reconstruction repair technique either immediately after the wound has occurred, or a week or two later ("delayed" graft) if the wound needs time to properly vascularize. Although skin grafts may be a suitable option for small wounds, the color and texture of the graft can be unpredictable and may not perfectly match the skin adjacent to the nasal region.
Local Flaps
Small nasal defects may be treated with local skin flaps, which redistribute skin from the upper nose to cover a defect within the inferior dorsum and tip. Because there is such a small amount of excess nasal skin, local flaps are only appropriate for small (less than 1.5 cm), superficial wounds. Although these procedures do result in a small scar, the flap technique offers the benefit of creating a more reliable texture and color match than can be achieved with skin grafts.
Regional Flaps
Regional flaps reposition excess tissue from facial areas adjacent to the nose (i.e. nasolabial fold, forehead) in order to cover a nasal defect or wound. Nasolabial flaps may be performed as a single outpatient procedure, or (for deeper defects) a two stage nasolabial flap, involving two surgeries spaced 3-4 weeks apart.
Forehead Flap
The skin of the forehead often serves as an excellent donor site for reconstructive nasal repairs because of the similar color and texture. A forehead flap is appropriate for nasal defects that are deep, larger than 1.5 cm, or require cartilage support and lining replacement. Forehead flap procedures may be performed in two or three stages, depending upon the severity of the defect, and are typically performed under general anesthesia.