Major (Nasal) Nose Reconstruction (partial nasal amputations or partial rhinectomy)

These are defects where there is loss of skin and cartilage or bone of the nose but also the inner lining of the nose. The description ‘major’ is given to denote that a significant proportion of the nose is missing.

Although some patients with a partial rhinectomy will prefer the use of a latex prosthesis, there are surgical solutions for the loss or lack of the majority of a nose for patients wishing to consider surgery.

Reconstruction of all three layer of the nose will be necessary and this usually will require 4 stages, each 3 weeks apart.

In some cases it maybe useful to involve the use of free tissue transfer (or free flap) from the forearm to the face to reconstruct the inner lining of the nose at the first surgery. At a second surgery the cartilage of the nose is rebuilt from your own cartilage from your rib and ear cartilage, this is then covered with skin from the forehead. A further 3 surgeries are required to sculpt the nose and open the nostrils and the airway to improve breathing.

This surgery is challenging and represents the cutting edge of nose reconstructive surgery.

Courtesy of Dr Vuyk & Dr Faris

Large defect into the nose. Following reconstruction over three stages with forehead flap repair reconstructing the lining, framework and skin. Symmetrical nose with normal appearance, normal nasal breathing, no nostril narrowing or retraction, nose straight.

Large nasal defect

Lining flaps, cartilage grafts for framework and forehead flap to reconstruct the skin.

Large defect into the nose. sub total reconstruction. Following reconstruction over three stages with forehead flap repair reconstructing the lining, framework and skin. Symmetrical nose with normal appearance, normal nasal breathing, no nostril narrowing or retraction, nose straight.