The "crossbow" incision and nasal flap--its blood supply and clinical application.

An anatomical study of the blood supply of the nose and upper lip was done on 10 specimens. This demonstrated the blood supply of an inferiorly based nasal flap, which was successfully used to gain access for an en bloc resection of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses, frontal sinuses, and nose. The "crossbow" incision and inferiorly based nasal flap facilitate the tridimensional excision of lesions in the anterior base of the skull, the midline portion of middle base of the skull, and the paranasal sinuses.