Three-dimensional modeling and comparison of nasal flap designs

Few studies exist that compare local flap repair designs either mathematically or clinically. Previous mathematical studies use a two-dimensional modeling approach, which is not suited to complex structures like the nose. To quantitatively analyze and compare flap designs for nasal repair using three-dimensional, photographic models. via a three-dimensional imaging system (Vectra M3, Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, NJ, USA), images were captured of actual post-Mohs nasal defects on 12 consecutive patients. Transposition, rotation, and advancement flap designs were designed and assessed based on tissue efficiency ( E t = SA wound /(SA wound + SA trimmed ) × 100), suture efficiency ( E s = SA wound /Length sutured × 100), total area undermined, combined 1° and 2° flap motion efficiency ( E fm = SA wound /(SA undermined − (SA wound + SA trimmed )) × 100), incision efficiency ( E i = SA wound /length incision × 100), and undermining efficiency ( E u = SA wound /SA undermined × 100). Rotation flap designs are the most tissue efficient ( p