Second intention healing of nasal ala and dorsum defects in Asians.

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of defects of nasal ala and dorsum after surgical excision presents a substantial challenge to dermatologic surgeons. Second intention healing is a simple and extremely useful method to optimize cosmesis after skin cancer removal.

OBJECTIVES

This study reported the cosmetic outcomes after second intention healing of nasal ala and dorsum defects in Asians, and estimated the time to epithelialization and complete healing.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Fifteen defects (<1 cm in diameter) of the nasal ala and dorsum in 10 patients were allowed to heal by secondary intention. Cosmetic results were evaluated and the time to epithelialization and complete healing were recorded.

RESULTS

Cosmetic outcomes were good to excellent in 80% of the defects; defects of the dorsum showed poorer cosmetic results than defects of the ala. The wounds needed 5-17 days (mean 11.3; SD ± 4.18) to complete epithelialization and 10-24 days (mean 17.7; SD ± 4.85) to heal completely.

CONCLUSIONS

Second intention healing of small nasal ala and dorsum defects (<1 cm in diameter) in Asians produces satisfactory cosmetic results with a low complication rate.