The expanded forehead flap for nasal reconstruction.

A 3-year experience using forehead tissue expansion for nasal reconstruction is presented. The series includes 7 expansions in 6 patients with different degrees of nasal loss due to either cancer, trauma, or avascular necrosis. Balloon tissue expansion minimizes the well-known limitations and drawbacks found in using forehead flaps for nasal reconstruction. Technique, timing, and sequencing of procedures are discussed and compared with those of other authors. The complications of tissue expansion are few, but obtaining a satisfactory nasal reconstruction requires multiple operations over a period of time. A learning curve is necessary due to inadequate previous experience and new developments in tissue expanders. The results obtained were possible due to the excellent tissue provided by forehead expansion.