Experience of ReCell in Skin Cancer Reconstruction
A 39-year-old man underwent Moh's micrographic surgery to treat an infiltrative basal cell carcinoma (BCC) arising from the right nasal sidewall. The resulting full thickness defect measured 2 cm×2 cm and involved the dorsum of the nose, the right side wall, and the nasal tip. A three-stage forehead flap was planned for reconstruction.\nDuring the first stage of surgery, in order to improve the final aesthetic outcome, the remainder of the involved subunits and the left nasal side wall were completely excised. The resulting final defect measured 4 cm×5 cm. Reconstruction of the lining and structural support of the nose were achieved using a mucosal advancement flap and septal cartilage grafts, respectively. A template using the excised nasal skin was used to accurately mark out a paramedian forehead flap. The flap was raised from its superior aspect to incorporate the skin, subcutaneous fat and part of the frontalis muscle. It was rotated 180 degrees and inset without tension. Once the primary nasal reconstruction was complete, the inferior aspect of the donor site defect was closed directly.\nThe superior aspect of the donor site measured 6 cm×5 cm () and was treated using the ReCell system in the manner described above.\nPhotographic assessment of the donor site was undertaken at 1 year () []. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) [] yielded a score of 32 (11=normal skin, 110 worst scar imaginable).