The Retroangular Flap Used in the Surgery of Nasal Tip Defects

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The treatment of large, deep, postsurgical nasal tip defects presents a serious problem for skin surgeons and is generally dealt with by using complex flaps or skin grafts. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to present the retroangular flap, a procedure that has only recently been described in literature. METHODS: The retroangular flap technique is based on inverting the blood flow in the angular artery, a vessel that runs along the nasal groove just below the surface of the skin. RESULTS: The retroangular flap is a single-step, easily performed, procedure that is usually carried out under local anesthesia. CONCLUSION: This technique can be used for the treatment of nasal tip defects and is a useful resource for skin surgeons.