From Sept 1989 to Dec 1993, the auricular composite graft carrying a piece of postauriclar skin with subdermal vascular network was used to repair 7 cases having defects of nasal alar or tip and 1 having microtia. The width of the composite grafts ranged from 1.8cm to 2.6cm, and the size of the postauricular skin rangedfrom 0.08×1cm2 to 2.2×2.5cm2. All cases gained successful results. The mechanism of survival of the composite grafts, and the essential points in operation were detailed.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of local skin flaps such as V-Y advancement flap (V-Y plasty) and transposition flap (Z plasty) in the adjustment of reconstructed nasal alars at second stage. Methods Between June 2012 and January 2017, 14 cases of reconstructed nasal alars by nasolabial flap or expanded forehead flap were recruited. There were 9 males and 5 females with an average age of 34.8 years (range, 18-52 years). The interval time between one- and two-stage operations was 1-12 months (mean, 3 months). The type of local skin flap was decided according to the flaws of reconstructed nasal alars. V-Y plasty was used in 5 cases, Z plasty in 2 cases, and V-Y plasty combined with Z plasty in 7 cases. Results All operations were successfully completed. The flaps in 3 cases suffered from epidermal necrosis at the far end and healed by dressing change. The other wounds healed by first intention. All 14 cases were followed up 6-40 months (mean, 12 months). The nasal alars had verisimilar shape and symmetrical appearance. The color and texture of reconstructed nasal alar were closed to peripheral tissues. Conclusion Applying local skin flaps such as V-Y plasty and Z plasty can acquire a better shape in the adjustment of reconstructed nasal alars.