[Flaps in the reconstructive surgery of dermatologic epitheliomas of the nose (excluding rhinopoiesis). Apropos of 144 surgically treated cases].

Dermatologic epithelioma of the nose is usually a basocellular and more rarely a spinocellular epithelioma. Small tumors less than 5 mm in diameter can be treated by electrocoagulation, whereas those over 1 cm should be treated by surgery or physical methods. Of a total of 144 cases of epithelioma operated upon, 10% were reconstructed by a flap. Increasing use is being made of local anesthesia with subsequent reduced hospital stay. The quality of the carcinologic results, similar to that of physical methods, and the excellent healing obtained, particularly in elderly patients, are arguments in favor of extensive surgery for epitheliomas in this region. The quality of the resection is difficult to evaluate, unless results of a fresh specimen examination are available. When not possible then it is preferable to await results of histology to show limits of excision before performing an autoplasty with flaps.