Nasal reconstruction may be required to correct major defects of the nose, which could have occurred by birth or by injury to the nose. The surgeon will use the uninjured side of the nose as a guide to rebuild the nose. The procedure can restore both functional and aesthetic aspects of the nose.
Nasal reconstruction should only be performed by a fully trained and experienced surgeon. Dr. V is a board certified facial plastic surgeon providing nasal reconstruction to patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and surrounding locations.
Surgical Options in Nasal Reconstruction
Depending on the patient’s condition and their aesthetic needs, the surgeon will choose an appropriate nasal reconstruction technique.
Simple Suture Closure
If the nasal defects are minor or less than 4 to 5 mm, and limited only to the upper nose area, a simple suture closure technique may be used. Only a small amount of extra skin is available on the nose, which limits the size of the defects that can be sutured and closed. If larger defects are closed with limited skin, it can distort the remaining tip or nostrils.
Secondary Intention Healing
Secondary healing is used for small defects on the concave or flat surfaces of the nose. The surgeon will avoid this treatment approach near the convex tip or alar rim in order to prevent distortion of the nasal tip or nostril margins by scar contraction or the creation of a chopped off or blunted tip appearance.
Skin Grafts
Skin grafts are typically used for small, superficial defects of the nose. A skin graft is a piece of skin that is initially without blood supply, but when placed upon a vascular bed, it gradually begins to revascularize. For nasal reconstruction, the surgeon may take skin grafts from the front or behind of the ear or from the neck.
The usefulness of the graft will be determined by the size, depth and location of the nasal defect. The restoration may appear less than normal, but it can be an effective solution in various nasal reconstruction cases.
Local Flaps
Unlike skin grafts, local flaps provide a more natural looking color and texture. However, they do not add skin to the nose, but simply share remaining skin around the nose. It is important to use local flaps cautiously to avoid distortion of the nasal tip or nostril margin because of the limited availability of excess nasal skin. Local flap technique is best applied when the defect is superficial and less than 15 mm in size.
Regional Flaps
In regional flap technique, the surgeon will move excess tissue from facial areas adjacent to the nose, such as the nasolabial fold or from the forehead. Larger or more complex nasal repairs can be performed with this technique, depending on the size, shape, depth and location of the wound. The procedure appears more complicated, but often creates more sustainable and effective outcomes.
Dr. V receives patients from Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and nearby areas for nasal reconstruction surgery.
For more infomation please contact Dr. V. Dr. Trang Thuy Vo-Nguyen, known to her patients as “Dr. V,” is a board certified facial plastic surgeon providing the latest surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures in Northern Virginia, Leesburg, Ashburn, Reston, Chantilly, Loudoun, Fairfax, Warrenton, Fauquier, Arlington, Manassas, Middleburg, Prince William, and other surrounding Virginia and Washington DC areas. https://thevirginiainstitute.com/contact-us/
NASAL RECONSTRUCTION