[Dermal pedicled nasolabial flap with subdermal vascular network for repairing nasolabial skin defects].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of the dermal pedicled nasolabial flap with subdermal vascular network for repairing nasolabial skin defects.

METHODS

Between July 2008 and July 2011, 43 cases of nasolabial defects were repaired with dermal pedicled nasolabial flap with subdermal vascular network. There were 22 males and 21 females with a median age of 36 years (range, 6-68 years). All defects were caused by excision of lesions, including pigmented nevus in 23 cases, scar in 16 cases, and inflammatory granuloma in 4 cases. The disease duration was 3 months to 35 years. Lesions were located at the tip of the nose in 11 cases, at the alae of the nose in 10 cases, at the alae and tip of the nose in 10 cases, at the alar groove of the nose in 8 cases, and at upper lip in 4 cases. The defect size ranged from 0.7 cm x 0.5 cm to 1.2 cm x 1.0 cm. The flap size ranged from 1.0 cm x 0.7 cm to 1.5 cm x 1.2 cm.

RESULTS

All flaps survived and incisions at donors and wound healed by first intention. After operation, 34 patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 10 months). The texture and color of the flap were similar to adjacent skin. No obvious scar was observed at donor sites.

CONCLUSION

The dermal pedicled nasolabial flap with subdermal vascular network has the advantages of flexible flap transplantation, small damage to donor site, and low incidence of bloated subcutaneous tunnel.