Background: Reconstruction of defects of nasal ala and dorsum after surgical excision presents a substantial challenge to dermatologic surgeons. Second intention healing is a simple and extremely useful method to optimize cosmesis after skin cancer removal.
Objectives: This study reported the cosmetic outcomes after second intention healing of nasal ala and dorsum defects in Asians, and estimated the time to epithelialization and complete healing.
Materials and methods: Fifteen defects (<1 cm in diameter) of the nasal ala and dorsum in 10 patients were allowed to heal by secondary intention. Cosmetic results were evaluated and the time to epithelialization and complete healing were recorded.
Results: Cosmetic outcomes were good to excellent in 80% of the defects; defects of the dorsum showed poorer cosmetic results than defects of the ala. The wounds needed 5-17 days (mean 11.3; SD ± 4.18) to complete epithelialization and 10-24 days (mean 17.7; SD ± 4.85) to heal completely.
Conclusions: Second intention healing of small nasal ala and dorsum defects (<1 cm in diameter) in Asians produces satisfactory cosmetic results with a low complication rate.
Keywords: Second intention healing; dorsum; nasal ala.