Partial nasal reconstruction with titanium mesh: report of five cases

Abstract

The nasal pyramid is frequently affected by nonmelanoma skin cancer. Sometimes the aggressiveness of tumours entails the extirpation of the mucosa, the cartilage, and the nasal skin. Reconstruction of the cartilaginous portion can be a surgical challenge. We demonstrate that titanium mesh can be an effective substitute for the cartilaginous portion of the nose in nasal reconstruction. We present five patients with nasal basal cell carcinoma who were treated by Mohs micrographic surgery. The partial loss of the cartilaginous structure was replaced by a 0.1 mm fenestrated titanium mesh. We have not observed any rejection or other complication in any of our patients. Good functional and aesthetic results have been obtained. Because of its biocompatibility, titanium mesh is a useful substitute for nasal cartilage. It avoids harvesting natural cartilage, reduces the risk of graft necrosis, and prevents morbidity in the donor area.