COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN SKIN GRAFTS AND FLAPS FOR THE TREATING NASAL DEFECTS AFTER BASAL CELL CARCINOMA EXCISION

Background: The most prevalent type of skin cancer that affects the nose is basal cell carcinoma. The best
treatment of this cancer is surgical excision with safety margin. After excision the defect that formed can
be closed by skin grafts, locoregional flaps and microsurgery.
Aim of study: is to assess the outcomes of skin grafts and flaps used to repair nasal deformities following
the removal of basal cell carcinoma from the nose.
Materials and Methods: This study was done in Al- Diwanyia teaching hospital and outpatient private
clinic between January,2018 to April ,2024 for 36 patients were complaining from skin defect in the nose
after(BCC) excision.The patients divided into two groups , each group consist of 18 patients.
The 1st group managed by skin graft and 2nd group by flaps.
In early follow up we assess the patients for presence of complications like infection ,flap ischemia , graft failure
.We follow the patients for 6 months as a visit every month looking for late complications (scar problems
,pigment changes) and patient satisfaction.
Results: We found two patients developed wound infection those who manage by flap ,one patient developed tip
nasolabial flap necrosis. Only one patients developed partial skin graft loss. 6 patients who treated by skin graft
developed hyperpigmentation problems and this not occur in patients treated by flaps.
Conclusion: There are more advantages for using flap coverage in nasal reconstruction due to better cosmetic
outcome and more patients satisfaction.