Nasal trumpet orthosis to maintain nares opening during a melolabial interpolation flap.

BACKGROUND

The nasal trumpet has been used in emergency resuscitation, anesthesia, and facial burns to maintain nares openings. The dermatologic surgery literature is not as familiar with this device to improve respiratory function during the postoperative period after reconstruction of large defects on the nose.

OBJECTIVE

To present a novel way of using a modified nasal trumpet orthosis to maintain nasal valve patency and improve nasal valve respiratory function postoperatively following a melolabial interpolation flap.

MATERIALS: A sterile nasal trumpet orthosis.

CONCLUSION

We present a novel way of using a modified nasal trumpet orthosis after a melolabial interpolation flap procedure. For large defects involving the nares and/or nasal valve of the nose, the nasal trumpet is well tolerated by the patient and can lead to increased postoperative respiratory function while acting as a "bolster" for the closure.