Full-thickness nasal defect: place of prosthetic reconstruction

Extensive rhinectomy or full-thickness defects are not uncommon, in particular in the treatment of skin cancer. The present study lays out the principles of choice and creation of prostheses for nasal reconstruction. Prosthetic nasal reconstruction in France depends on a specialist prescription drawn up under the “Ocular and Facial Prostheses” rubric of the official List of Products and Procedures. National health insurance cover is 100% on condition that the prosthesis is produced by an approved prosthetist. The present study describes production stages, forms and means of fixation, and the timeline of implantation. Nasal prosthetic repair is simple, fast and functional, allowing social rehabilitation despite full respect of carcinologic margins, and without ruling out subsequent multilayer reconstruction. Benefits and drawbacks, and the factors determining repair options according to pathologic context are discussed. Nasal prostheses are an integral option in the repair of full-thickness nasal defects and total rhinectomies. The head and neck surgeon needs expertise in indications and techniques of reconstruction, so as to prescribe nasal prostheses as the context demands.