Congenital Heminasal Aplasia: Clinical Picture, Radiological Findings, and Follow-up After Early Surgical Intervention

Objective: This report presents an extremely rare case of heminasal aplasia or hemi-arhinia with only about 80 cases reported so far. The exact etiology and mechanism of development of heminasal aplasia are still unknown. Furthermore, the rarity of this anomaly makes its reconstruction a surgical challenge with a diversity and controversy on the timing and technique of such reconstructive procedures. Method: Reconstruction was performed when the child was 3 months of age. The missing heminose was reconstructed by a superiorly based nasolabial flap. Results: On early follow-up visits, there was retraction of the flap. However, the parents were satisfied by the result to the degree that the girl did not show for follow up after 3 years of surgery until she is 13 years and even now her parents do not want any further surgery. Conclusion: Early surgical reconstruction is recommended even if revisions may be needed later. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Tarek Abulezz, MD, Plastic Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt 82524; E-mail: t_abulezz@yahoo.com, tabulezz@med.sohag.edu.eg Received 1 July, 2018 Accepted 5 September, 2018 The author reports no conflicts of interest. © 2019 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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