The nasofacial interpolated flap in reconstruction of the nasal ala.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer frequently involves the nasal alae, the surgical reconstruction of which may be challenging if their margins, contours, and surface texture are to be preserved.
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe our experience with a nasofacial interpolated flap in which a temporary bridging pedicle is used to transpose skin from the nasofacial and melolabial sulci to an alar defect.
METHODS: The nasofacial interpolated flap was used in eight patients to reconstruct partial-thickness alar wounds after excision of a basal cell carcinoma.
RESULTS: The functional and cosmetic outcome was excellent in five patients and is likely to be good in two others who had postoperative fullness of the flap inset. A poor result was seen in one patient, a heavy smoker, who healed with an atrophic scar at the margin of the primary defect.
CONCLUSION: In alar wounds for which a full-thickness skin graft would provide inadequate bulk, the nasofacial interpolated flap transposes skin of excellent color and textural match without blunting the nasofacial sulcus or the alar groove.