The Spiral Flap for Nasal Alar Reconstruction: Our Experience with 63 Patients

Abstract

To describe our patient selection, design, execution, and results with the spiral flap for distal nasal surgical defects after Mohs micrographic surgery. We performed a retrospective analysis of all spiral flaps performed over a 5-year period. Sixty-three patients were identified, and charts and photographs were examined. Surgical defects were classified according to alar location. All follow-up encounters were reviewed to assess for complications and need for revisionary procedures. Intraoperative photographs were taken of representative cases to describe the surgical technique. Sixty-three patients on whom the spiral flap was performed were identified over a 5-year period. The flap was used to successfully reconstruct alar defects ranging in size from 5 to 15mm in diameter. No persistent complications were noted. The spiral flap is a reproducible, one-stage flap for small to medium-sized defects of the nasal ala and alar groove that consistently produces topographic restoration with minimal risk of aesthetic or functional complication.