Have you ever cut someone's nose off and then put a new one on? I was wondering because if a person had no nose, if you could give them a new nose.
Answer:
Yes, I have removed noses that have been overcome with cancer. A new nose was fabricated from forehead tissue after first expanding that tissue with a balloon so that there would be enough skin for the nose and to close the defect of the forehead.
Rebuilding noses is not new. One of the earliest plastic surgical techniques described was for the reconstruction of noses. It seems that histomy has seen many individuals with noses removed for varous purposes. A nose count was really a technique in use it seems. Most of the destroyed noses were for punishment. (Leprosy and TB can also result in nose destruction.) Ancient Indian texts (about 600 BC -Sushruta Samhida) describe an earler version of the forehead flap I used in my patients. Tagliacozzi (1597) described using arm skin attached to the nose (and the arm held there for some time). After the tissue from the forehead or arm regains its blood supply from the nose area, the connecting tissue is divided.
These new noses can be fairly presentable but they are never as nice or as good as the original nose. So I do not recommend cutting off someones nose to test the skills of your local plastic surgeon!
I hope this answers your question.
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Michael Bermant, MD
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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