ITHACA

The Forehead Flap and Nose Reshaping

Nose reshaping is not just about aesthetics there are conditions when

one must undergo major reconstruction due to cancer, accidents of fire

and severe assaults on the face. When there are large pieces of skin

cartilage and bone missing from the nose, there is hope.

There are Rhinoplasty surgeons who specialize in these types of

reconstruction using a method harvesting a skin flap from another part

of the body has been around for centuries. First developed in Italy in

the 1700’s using a portion of the inner arm. Today medicine has advanced

to the point of moving skin from the forehead to aid in the nose

reshaping process. The forehead has become the best option due to its

similarities to the skin covering the nose.

The first step in this process is an extensive evaluation of the

patient’s medical and physical history. Surgeons will look at a patients

history of bleeding, use of cigarettes and overall condition of the

forehead itself.

Next a template of the nose surface is created and then superimposed

upon the forehead to see if a large enough skin graft is available. If

the dimensions are available the shape is then traced onto the forehead

creating a cut line for the nose reshaping surgeon. Leaving the bottom

area next to the eyebrow line still attached to the face.

Once the skin has been cut from the forehead and the bleeding

controlled, the flap is literally twisted 180 degrees and is placed

directly over the nose reshaping area. This flap is then trimmed, fitted

and shaped to the nose and then sutured in place.

The forehead skin is then stretched and sutured closed.

This is the first step in extreme cases in nose reshaping. Once the area

has healed, most forehead flap nose reshaping will need some further

touch up work to meld the nose into the face. Methods used to soften the

surgery can be one or a combination of laser treatments, flap thinning

and scar line excision (small recuts and sutures).