A Case Report of Anterior Nasal Atresia Caused by an Acquired Disorder

Abstract

Atresia of the anterior nares is a rare disease caused by a congenital or acquired disorder. Car accidents, burns, postoperative scar, iatrogenic damage, and so on reportedly induce acquired atresia of the anterior nares. This report describes a rare case of nasal alar deformity and anterior nasal atresia caused by scar tissue formation following zona facialis. An 80-year-old woman was infected with herpes zoster at the right trigeminal nerve second division and intravenous acyclovir was administered. After treatment, increasing deformity of the right ala was gradually noted. The right nostril had closed completely in 10 months. She was treated with surgical enlargement of the stenosis using a nasolabial skin flap. Stenosis has not recurred during the six months since the nasolabial skin flap reconstruction.
Various techniques have been used for reconstruction related to anterior nasal atresia: scar excision, skin graft, Z-plasty, V-Y advancement flap, composite graft, nasolabial skin flap, and others. It is important to choose an appropriate operative method for prevention of postoperative recurrence.