Surgical Treatment Strategy for Severe Rhinophyma With Bilateral Pedicled Nasolabial Flaps

J Craniofac Surg. 2019 Sep;30(6):e542-e544. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000005524.

Abstract

Background: Rhinophyma is a rare disease characterized by chronic inflammation and hypertrophy of sebaceous glands, blood vessels, and fibrous tissue, associated with end-stage severe acne rosacea. There are multiple approaches to treatment and repair, including dermal shaving, secondary intention healing, free skin graft, and skin flaps. However, these methods have various disadvantages, such as prolonged healing, obvious scarring, and skin texture mismatch. Therefore, the authors adopted surgical excision with bilateral pedicled nasolabial flaps, which have better color, texture, thickness, and symmetry.

Methods: The authors present a case of severe nasal tip rhinophyma successfully treated by excision and repair with bilateral pedicled nasolabial flaps. This procedure combines deep excision of the focal lesion and coverage with bilateral nasolabial flaps.

Results: The bilateral pedicled nasolabial flaps were used for severe rhinophyma in a patient. After the operation, the flaps survived uneventfully in this study. Both functional and aesthetic results were satisfactory at 3 months.

Conclusion: The authors offer an effective method for surgical treatment of rhinophyma. Excision of hypertrophic nasal tissue is an acknowledged effective treatment for patients with severe rhinophyma. After excision, reconstruction with nasolabial flaps results in satisfactory outcomes both functionally and aesthetically. Therefore, this approach should be considered an appropriate alternative in cases of severe rhinophyma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Dermis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nose / surgery
  • Nose Deformities, Acquired / surgery
  • Rhinophyma / surgery*
  • Skin Transplantation
  • Surgical Flaps / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome