Major Nasal Reconstruction

Major nasal defects are defects in which there is damage not only to the skin and cartilage/bone of the nose, but also to the mucous membrane of the nose. The designation “large” is used when a significant portion of the nose is missing. Although some patients undergoing partial nose reconstruction prefer to use a latex prosthesis, for patients considering surgery, there are also surgical solutions for the loss or lack of a large part of the nose. Reconstruction of all three layers of the nose is necessary and usually requires four phases, each three weeks apart.

In some cases, free tissue transplantation from the forearm to the face may be used to rebuild the inside of the nose during the initial surgery. During the second operation, the cartilage of the nose is then rebuilt using existing cartilage from your own ribs and ears. This cartilage is covered by skin of the forehead. Three further operations follow, during which the nose is further shaped and the airways are opened to improve breathing. This operation is very challenging and a good reflection of the most modern techniques and processes in reconstructive nose surgery.

The image shows a large deviation in the nose. A three-phase reconstruction was performed, with forehead flap reconstruction of the mucous membrane and skin of the nose. The result is a symmetrical nose with normal appearance, normal nasal breathing, no narrowing or reduction of the nostrils and a straight nose.

This reconstruction used flaps over the mucous membrane, cartilage transplantation for the shape and forehead flaps for the reconstruction of the skin. The large deviation in the nose resulted in an almost complete reconstruction. The reconstruction consists of three phases with forehead flap reconstruction of the mucous membrane and skin of the nose. The result is a symmetrical nose with normal appearance, normal nasal breathing, no narrowing or reduction of the nostrils and a straight nose.

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