Supermicrosurgical reconstruction of nasal tip defects using the preauricular reversed superficial temporal artery flap. 2020

Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, The Ninth affiliated Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong Medicine University, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Rd., Shanghai 200011, P. R. China. Electronic address: drweijiao@163.com.

BACKGROUND Microsurgical reconstruction of nasal tip defects is difficult to achieve. The free composite auricular flap allows for repair in a one-stage procedure. However, anastomosis to the recipient facial artery is often complicated because of its variable anatomy and the need for a vessel graft. In this study, we describe our experience using the alar artery and angular vein as recipient vessels for direct super microsurgical anastomosis. METHODS From February 2004 to December 2015, thirty-two patients with different degrees of full-thickness multi-subunit nasal tip defects were included in this study. The superficial temporal vessels, alar artery, and angular vein were marked preoperatively by ultrasound detection. The preauricular reversed superficial temporal artery flap was harvested and transferred to the nasal tip defect region as a free flap using a supermicrosurgical technique. Patient pictures were taken before surgery and at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up. Outcomes and complications were recorded and analyzed. Moreover, a postoperative patient satisfaction survey was performed. RESULTS The reversed superficial temporal artery flap was used in a total of 32 patients for the reconstruction of nasal tip defects in a one-stage procedure. In all cases, the alar artery and angular vein showed no anatomical variations and were used as recipient vessels. The size of the harvested preauricular flap size was 2.5 × 2.0 to 4.0 × 3.6 cm2, and the average flap size was 3.6 × 2.7 cm2. The length of the arterial pedicle was 4.0 to 6.7 cm, 5.58 cm on average. The length of the venous pedicle was 5.0 to 6.8 cm, 6.21 cm on average. Direct anastomosis was achieved in all patients, and in none of the cases, a vascular graft was needed. Donor sites were all closed primarily. Flap survival was complete, except for one case of vascular thrombosis, resulting in a 10% flap necrosis. Temporary hematoma was noted in one patient. The postoperative outcome showed excellent functional coverage and improved esthetic appearance. The average follow-up period was 12 months. The majority of patients (98.5%) rated their postoperative outcome as highly improved and improved. No late recurrence or other complications were seen in any of the patients. Twenty-two patients underwent a secondary debulking procedure of the flap for fine adjustment. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that the alar artery and angular vein are suitable recipient vessels for the super microsurgical reconstruction of nasal tip defects. Surgical planning and procedure are facilitated by their reliable anatomy without the need for a vessel graft. This technique may offer wider applications by extension to other facial cutaneous defects.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008866 Microsurgery The performance of surgical procedures with the aid of a microscope.
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009667 Nose Deformities, Acquired Abnormalities of the nose acquired after birth from injury or disease. Acquired Nasal Deformities,Nasal Deformities, Acquired,Acquired Nasal Deformity,Acquired Nose Deformities,Acquired Nose Deformity,Nasal Deformity, Acquired,Nose Deformity, Acquired
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012225 Rhinoplasty A plastic surgical operation on the nose, either reconstructive, restorative, or cosmetic. (Dorland, 28th ed) Rhinoplasties
D013699 Temporal Arteries Arteries arising from the external carotid or the maxillary artery and distributing to the temporal region. Arteries, Temporal,Artery, Temporal,Temporal Artery

Related Publications

Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
January 2006, Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS,
Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
March 2006, Zhonghua er bi yan hou tou jing wai ke za zhi = Chinese journal of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery,
Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
July 2006, Zhonghua zheng xing wai ke za zhi = Zhonghua zhengxing waike zazhi = Chinese journal of plastic surgery,
Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
February 2012, Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS,
Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
June 2016, ANZ journal of surgery,
Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
May 2016, The Journal of craniofacial surgery,
Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
December 2006, Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery,
Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
April 2008, Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.],
Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
September 2014, Annals of plastic surgery,
Jiao Wei, and Qinghua Chen, and Tanja Herrler, and Hua Xu, and Qingfeng Li, and Jinguang He, and Chuanchang Dai
January 2018, International journal of surgery case reports,
Copied contents to your clipboard!