Case 8 (2024): Right ala nasi reconstruction with a superior based nasolabial flap
David Salim, Roskilde, SUH, Denmark
Abstract
58-year-old female, otherwise healthy, presented to the Department of Plastic Surgery in March of 2024 with a 2 mm punch biopsy verified case of infiltrative basocellular carcinoma. The lesion was located to the right ala nasi subunit of the nose. In December 2023 a primary 2 mm punch biopsy was performed on the same lesion showing basophil degeneration. Due to progression in size in the meantime,
BeforeAfter58-year-old female, otherwise healthy, presented to the Department of Plastic Surgery in March of 2024 with a 2 mm punch biopsy verified case of infiltrative basocellular carcinoma. The lesion was located to the right ala nasi subunit of the nose. In December 2023 a primary 2 mm punch biopsy was performed on the same lesion showing basophil degeneration. Due to progression in size in the meantime, a new punch biopsy was taken by a private practicing dermatologist, revealing the before mentioned infiltrative basocellular carcinoma.
After applying local anesthesia (1% lidocaine + adrenaline), the tumor was excised with a 3 mm safety margin with an appropriate depth in the underlying soft tissue. Hemostasis was performed. Frozen sections were taken from the borders of the defect at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock and the base of the defect – the sections were sent to fast-track histological examination. Answer was obtained approximately one hour later.
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Picture of the bottom of the specimen marked superiorly with a safety needle pointing towards the medial canthus of the right eye (pencil marking can be seen on the photo before surgery). Notice the level of excision including the skin, subdermal fatty tissue and not deeper. There is no cartilage in the ala nasi.
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In this picture, the 12 o’clock frozen section is displayed. When taking the sections, it is imperative to take a suitable amount of tissue for analysis. It is a fine balance between not too large of a section and at the same time not too small preventing proper analysis.
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A superior based nasolabial flap was drawn on the right side – the drawing was based on the dimensions of the defect so it would fit appropriately herein. The width of the flap corresponded the width of the defect. The flap was drawn 2-3 mm longer to avoid traction on the ala nasi. The flap was designed in the nasolabial crease with correction of skin excess in the flap apex.
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Frozen sections showed no malignancy and the appropriate flap was elevated, prior to this local anesthesia (1% lidocaine + adrenaline) was administered. The flap was dissected at the subcutaneous level and transposed into the defect on the ala nasi – suitable debulking and thinning of the flap was conducted bearing the aesthetic shape of the ala nasi subunit in mind.
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Donor-site was sutured with 5-0 monofilament and nylon 5-0. Defect-site with nylon 5-0. The ala nasi crease can be seen fairly appropriately reconstructed, mimicking the contralateral side.
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Anterior view after suturing
8Here the reconstructed ala nasi crease can be seen and compared to the contralateral side.
- Thinning of the flap: The flap can be thinned to avoid a too voluminous flap on the ala nasi.
- Vascular supply: understanding the vascular anatomy of the nasolabial flap is imperative. The superior pedicle relies on branches from the facial artery, ensuring proper blood supply to the flap and avoiding necrosis – careful planning might help mitigate this issue, especially the flap pedicle should be thought of.
- Preservation of aesthetic subunits: it is important to pay attention to preserving the aesthetic appearance of the nasal subunit that is to be reconstructed in order to maintain a natural appearance – in the case of the ala nasi subunit, particularly the ala crease and bulkiness of the flap should be considered.
How to cite this article
David Salim, Roskilde, SUH, Denmark. Case 8 (2024): Right ala nasi reconstruction with a superior based nasolabial flap. Journal of Plastic, Breast & Reconstructive Surgery. 2024.
Open access. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by the Journal of Plastic, Breast & Reconstructive Surgery. Copyright to this case is shared between the author(s) and the journal; authors may reuse their own case for education, presentations and social media.
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