Reconstruction of superficial skin cancer defects of the nose

Purpose: This article reviewed the results of reconstruction of surface nasal defects after removal of skin cancer. Patients and Methods: One hundred patients with 103 surface defects involving various locations on the nose were treated. Management included direct closure, secondary epithelization, full-thickness skin grafts, and local flaps using 1 or 2 stages. Results: Ten nasal defects were treated by direct closure, 8 defects healed by secondary epithelization, and 30 patients were treated with a full-thickness skin graft. Fifty-five defects were reconstructed with local flaps including 30 one-stage and 25 two-stage flaps. Conclusion: Many options are available for reconstructing nasal defects that can lead to acceptable aesthetic results. Among the factors that need to be addressed before choosing a procedure for reconstruction of surface nasal defects resulting from skin cancer are size and location of the defect, aesthetic concerns, and the medical status of the patient. © 2001 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons