BACKGROUND Deep defects on the nasal ala and lateral nasal tip may result in nasal valve insufficiency or alar notching and are often repaired with a 2-stage reconstruction. Previous literature… Click to show full abstract
BACKGROUND Deep defects on the nasal ala and lateral nasal tip may result in nasal valve insufficiency or alar notching and are often repaired with a 2-stage reconstruction. Previous literature has demonstrated high failure rates of composite grafts. OBJECTIVE Identify survival rates and cosmetic outcomes of nasal composite grafts harvested from the antihelix. METHODS A retrospective review of 52 patients who underwent ala or lateral nasal tip composite graft repair from April 2019 through May 2022, with statistical analysis of cosmetic outcomes graded by 2 surgeons. RESULTS Defect size ranged from 0.7 cm × 0.8 cm to 1.9 cm × 2.5 cm. 48 grafts survived (92.3% survival rate). Four patients sustained at least partial integument sloughing (epidermal necrosis), but the cartilage survived in all 52 cases. Overall, aesthetic results yielded the following: excellent (19.5%), very good (35.5%), good (11.5%), decent (16.5%), and poor (6%). In 93% of cases, there was no evidence of nasal collapse or retraction. Two patients (3.8%) required surgical revision. Donor site morbidity was low. CONCLUSION The antihelical composite skin graft is a 1-step reliable repair option for ala and lateral nasal tip defects with an acceptable cosmetic outcome.
               
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