The Tela Cutis Nasi Flap: A Technical Note on Nasal Sill Reconstruction in Secondary Cleft Rhinoplasty.

Background

Despite advances in cleft rhinoplasty, the nasal sill remains an underappreciated subunit, yet it plays a crucial role in nostril symmetry and aesthetic balance. Hypoplasia or absence of the nasal sill on the cleft side often persists after primary repair and may complicate secondary nasal base correction. Current methods for sill reconstruction are limited by donor site morbidity, variability in tissue match, or non-anatomic tissue substitution.

Methods

This technical note describes a surgical protocol utilizing the Tela Cutis Nasi flap, a pedicled fibro-adipose flap harvested from the adjacent nasal base, to reconstruct the deficient sill in patients with previously repaired unilateral cleft lip. The flap concept, anatomical rationale, stepwise operative steps, and patient selection considerations are outlined.

Results

This technical note details the surgical steps, anatomical rationale, and flap design. No formal morphometric or patient-reported outcome analysis is included in this report; these data are being collected within an ongoing prospective outcome study designed to evaluate efficacy and long-term stability.

Conclusions

The Tela Cutis Nasi flap is intended as an anatomically based local option for nasal sill reconstruction that can be integrated into secondary cleft nasal base surgery. This article contributes a standardized operative description, indications, technical constraints, and anticipated pitfalls, without assessment of clinical outcomes or long-term stability.