Restoring Form and Function: Cheek Flap Reconstruction of a Nasolabial Defect Following Basal Cell Carcinoma Excision

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published: Jun 4, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmscrs/v6-i6-09
Keywords:
basal cell carcinoma; nasolabial defect; cheek advancement flap; facial reconstruction; flap viability

Main Article Content

I Gusti Ayu Amitia Maharani
Intern Doctor, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Bali Mandara Regional Public Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Jenisa Amanda Sandiarini Kamayana
Plastic Surgeon, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Bali Mandara Regional Public Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

Objectives: To describe wide local excision and single-stage cheek advancement flap reconstruction for nasolabial basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and evaluate early outcomes including flap viability, complications, and facial nerve function.


Background: Nasolabial BCC reconstruction requires balancing oncologic clearance with preservation of contour and facial dynamics. Cheek advancement flaps offer good tissue match and vascularity.


Methods: A 60-year-old woman with a 2.7 cm × 2.7 cm nasolabial nodular-infiltrative BCC underwent wide excision (defect 4 cm × 3 cm) and immediate cheek flap reconstruction. Outcomes included flap viability, complications, and facial nerve function across three follow-ups.


Results: Flap viability was preserved without necrosis, infection, hematoma, or dehiscence. The patient was discharged on day 6. Facial nerve function was largely intact, with mild transient smile asymmetry. Aesthetic outcomes were favorable.


Conclusions: Cheek advancement flap provides reliable single-stage reconstruction for moderate nasolabial defects. Further studies are needed to assess long-term outcomes.

Article Details

How to Cite
Amitia Maharani, I Gusti Ayu, and Jenisa Amanda Sandiarini Kamayana. 2026. “Restoring Form and Function: Cheek Flap Reconstruction of a Nasolabial Defect Following Basal Cell Carcinoma Excision”. International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research Studies 6 (06):1095-99. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmscrs/v6-i6-09.
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 06 (2026): Volume 06 Issue 06 June 2026
Section
Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

I. Verkouteren JAC, Ramdas KHR, Wakkee M, Nijsten T. Epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma: a scholarly review. Br J Dermatol. 2020;182(4):919–928.

II. McDaniel B, Badri T, Steele RB. Basal cell carcinoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.

III. Dessinioti C, Stratigos AJ. Management of advanced basal cell carcinoma. Cancers (Basel). 2021;13(11):2484.

IV. Roozeboom MH, Arits AHMM, Nelemans PJ, et al. Surgical excision versus Mohs micrographic surgery for basal cell carcinoma of the face. Lancet Oncol. 2021;22(12):1661–1671.

V. Huynh MNQ, et al. Outcomes of cervicofacial flaps in facial reconstruction. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021;74(6):1231–1238.

VI. Gómez OJ, et al. Cervicofacial flap reconstruction for facial skin cancer defects. Arch Plast Surg. 2025;52(1):12–20.

VII. Desisto NG, Ortiz AS, Yang SF, Stephan SJ, Patel PN. State of the evidence for facial skin cancer reconstruction. Facial Plast Surg. 2023;39(3):220–229. doi:10.1055/a-2008-2798.

VIII. Veija T, Koivunen V, Mäkelä L, Koljonen V. Immediate local flap versus skin graft reconstruction after standard excision of basal cell carcinoma of the nose. JPRAS Open. 2025;44:364–374. doi:10.1016/j.jpra.2025.03.017.

IX. Ogunkeyede A, Solagbade R, Lawal A. Versatility of cervicofacial flap in management of cutaneous cheek defects post tumour excision: a report of two cases. Afr Health Sci. 2023;23(1):511–514. doi:10.4314/ahs.v23i1.53.

X. Gómez OJ, Ruiz CE, Padilla E, Patiño AF. Evolution of cervicofacial flaps: From classical reconstruction to freestyle multiperforator island flap. JPRAS Open. 2025;48:321–330. doi:10.1016/j.jpra.2025.11.026.

XI. Ishii N, et al. Cheek reconstruction with a nasolabial external-rotation flap: case series and technical considerations. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2024.

XII. Minelli L, et al. Anatomy of the facial glideplanes, deep plane spaces, and ligaments: implications for surgical and nonsurgical lifting procedures. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023.

XIII. Huynh MNQ, Rokui S, McRae MC. An outcome comparison of superficial versus deep plane dissection of cervicofacial flaps: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021;74(4):730–739. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2020.11.049.

XIV. Arianpour N, et al. Management and outcomes of facial nerve injury following rhytidectomy: a systematic review. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2025.

XV. Cruz AJM, et al. Facial nerve repair. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.

XVI. Wu L, et al. Construction of a predictive model for the effectiveness of plastic surgery and repair in patients with facial basal cell carcinoma. Front Surg. 2024.