AMPLIFIED V-Y FLAPS FOR NASAL DEFECTS

Due to a paucity of subcutaneous tissue in the nose, mobilization of s ome flaps is impeded and large nasal defects are thus difficult to clo se with traditional V-Y flaps. The V-Y flap is modified by the additio n of an amplified limb onto the advancing edge of the V-Y flap. This l imb is located adjacent to the area requiring reconstruction and is hi nged down on the end of the V-Y flap to close the distal portion of th e defect. The amplified V-Y flap, a modified V-Y advancement flap, is very useful for the closure of relatively large defects on the nasal a rea. We have used this flap for nasal defects as large as 2.5 cm in di ameter following excision of skin tumors on the nose in 11 patients. M ost excised tumors were basal cell carcinomas. The results have been q uite good, with only minor complications in two patients. Complication s were encountered only in the nasal tip region, there was partial nec rosis at the tip of the amplified portion of the flap. The modificatio ns of the V-Y flap described has extended the application in closing n asal defects.