Contralateral Nasolabial Flap for Reconstruction of Midface Defects

Reconstruction of defects in the midface near the nasolabial fold or the inner canthus of the eye can be a challenge for plastic surgeons. Many methods such as skin grafting and skin flaps have been proposed for reconstruction of these defects. This report presents the results of using a contralateral nasolabial flap with a pedicle containing the lateral nasal branch of the angular artery. A flap with a pedicle approximately 10 mm wide was transferred to the opposite side through a tunnel at the nasion near the inner canthus for reconstruction of defects with surface areas ranging from 5.3 to 31.0 cm2 and depths ranging 2.2–6.5 mm. Since 2008, with careful design, eight patients with skin tumor excisions have obtained effective functional and aesthetic results. This method is a suitable surgical procedure for reconstruction of moderate to wide side defects in the special midface area of the nasal sidewall toward the medial canthus.