Cadaveric Study of the Posterior Pedicle Nasoseptal Flap

Abstract

The posterior pedicle nasoseptal flap has been the workhorse for endoscopic reconstruction of medium to large cranial base defects, with excellent outcomes and minimal flap failures. The authors present the anatomical foundations for the use of the nasoseptal flap for reconstruction of soft palate and pharyngeal defects and for surgical treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in a cadaveric model. Posterior pedicle nasoseptal flaps were endoscopically harvested and transposed to the naso/oropharynx in seven cadavers. The reach and relationships of the flap with nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal structures were documented. A total of nine nasoseptal flaps (bilateral in two specimens) were transposed into the nasopharynx and oropharynx. The most anterior aspect of the flap was visualized transorally several millimeters inferior to the soft palate in all specimens. Six flaps were sutured transorally to the posterior pharyngeal wall and three were sutured to defects of the soft palate. The width of a fully harvested flap (entire septal mucosa) was more than twice the width of the posterior nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal wall in all specimens. Nasoseptal flaps were easily tailored endoscopically and transorally with standard instrumentation to fit the defects. In a cadaveric model, the nasoseptal flap can be transposed into the nasopharynx and upper oropharynx and is a potential alternative for pharyngeal reconstruction and surgical treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients in whom traditional flaps are not available. The application of this technique for reconstruction of pharyngeal and velar defects is novel, and further studies evaluating clinical outcomes are needed.