Management of Complicated Nasal Defects

The nose is the most common site for nonmelanoma skin cancer. Fortunately, most skin cancer lesions on the nose are discovered early and their timely diagnosis and excision result in superficial defects that can be reconstructed with minimal impact on the aesthetics and function. Reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the nose remains a challenging endeavor for reconstructive surgeons. An organized and systematic approach is necessary to streamline the analysis, planning, and reconstruction complex nasal defects to consistently achieve optimal results. This article reviews options for reconstructing full-thickness nasal defects and highlights current advances in established techniques.