The use of perichondrial cutaneous grafts to repair defects of the lower third of the nose.

The reconstruction of surgical defects on the nasal tip and nasal ala which require both skin coverage and underlying support is often a complex surgical problem. The perichondrial cutaneous graft (PCCG) is a composite graft of skin and perichondrium harvested from the conchal bowl of the car. It is an excellent alternative to full-thickness skin grafts and local flaps for reconstructing defects of the lower third of the nose. This composite graft, which is composed of epidermis, dermis, a small amount of subcutaneous tissue, and the underlying perichondrium, yields excellent cosmetic and functional results in a simple, single-stage, out-patient procedure. This article describes and illustrates the repair of surgical defects on the nasal tip and nasal ala using the PCCG.