Microvascular free flap in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

A 69-year-old male patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia presented with severe epistaxis requiring repeated transfusions. Both nasal passages were densely populated with these vascular malformations that involved the entire nasal mucosa. A total rhinotomy was performed and all the nasal mucosa and turbinates were excised. Both nasal passages were completely resurfaced with a free radial forearm skin flap. The vascular pedicle was delivered from the nasal passage via the maxillary antrum to anastomose with the facial vessels in the cheek. Following surgery the patient had no further significant epistaxis.