Forehead Flap in Nasal Reconstruction

Abstract

We establish criteria for aesthetic forehead flap reconstructions and evaluate the effect of mathematical models and computer simulation of the operation in preoperative and perioperative planning. We study a case series of 13 patients in an academic tertiary referral medical center. Most patients had nasal defects after Mohs' surgery for tumor ablation. Patients were followed up for 2 years after reconstructive surgery. Three patients underwent midline forehead flap nasal reconstructions, and 10 patients underwent paramedian forehead flap nasal reconstructions. We used patient satisfaction and physician evaluation of aesthetic form and function restoration as the main outcome measures. There were no major complications. Minor complications included short-term pincushioning in all patients, scar contracture that resolved after 8 months in one patient, and forehead necrosis after primary closure of the upper forehead in one patient. Computer simulation correlated two-dimension flap design to the transposition process. We conclude that the forehead flap is the optimal reconstructive modality for resurfacing large nasal defects. The paramedian forehead flap is superior to the midline forehead flap for nasal reconstruction, especially for distal tip reconstructions. Mathematical models and computer simulation of the reconstructive procedure that relate the two-dimensional flap design to the transposition process reveal subtle geometric relationships of the flap transposition that facilitate the design of the optimal flap for reconstruction.