The east -west advancement flap (horizontal advancement flap) to repair a defect on the nose ala.

Background The repair of an alar nasal defect is a frequent challenge for dermatologic surgeons for reasons of the high rate of non-melanoma cancers in the area. Objective Our aim was to describe the use of an east–west cheek-based flap (horizontal advancement flap) to repair a surgical defect on the nose ala. Methods Benefits and limits of this surgical procedure are evaluated. Result The resulting S-shaped scar was well-camouflaged among the natural skin lines (melolabial fold and melonasal junction). No architectural distortion of the nose resulted from the procedure. Conclusion In selected patients with small-to-medium-size defects of the nasal ala, the horizontal advancement flap is a simple, reliable and aesthetic reconstruction option.