Lemmo's Flap for Nasal Dorsum Reconstruction

Abstract

Reconstruction of nasal defects is an antique challenge for surgeons. The first reported technique is dated 600 B.C. Since then a number of reconstructive options have been proposed in the literature. Some principles, first stated by Buget and Menick must be always taken into account when planning such reconstructions. In detail, every reconstruction should respect the subunit principle and the scars should always be well hidden in the passage between adjacent subunits. The flap proposed in the present paper adheres to the cited principles and leads to optimal nasal dorsum reconstruction in selected cases. From April 2008 to March 2009, 5 patients were reconstructed with Lemmo's flap after local excision of 3 basal cell carcinomas and 2 squamous cell carcinomas affecting the the skin of the nasal dorsum in its caudal portion. In all cases a pleasing aesthetic result was obtained, no postoperative deformity was observed and all the scars were unnoticeable. The Lemmo's flap described in the present paper can be considered a valid choice for nasal dorsum skin reconstruction and is preferable over other techniques for reconstruction of small to medium sized defects of the skin of the caudal dorsum.