V. About the tenth day the head apparatus is removed and the pedicle of the arm flap is divided. The arm may now be carefully lowered to its normal position.
VI. The subseptum is not formed from the free end of the attached flap for several weeks. It is then divided by two parallel incisions directed outward. The septal section is folded upon itself, and inserted and sutured in place into an incision made into the upper lip.
Szymanowski Method.—This author advises making the base of the flap sufficiently wide, and of the form shown in [Fig. 350], to permit of the three sections of skin of this part of the flap to be folded upon themselves before being sutured in place at the base of the nose, so as to form lined nares and a thickened and supportative subseptum.
Fig. 350.—Szymanowski Method.
Fabrizi Method.—This author utilized the immediate method of flap fixation, but makes his flap of triangular form from the inner and upper skin of the forearm.
The transverse base is made to lie one half inch below the radio-ulnar space. The flap should be about three inches long and of about the same width. It is cut while the forearm is relaxed; bleeding is controlled by gentle pressure. In the meantime the cicatricial tissue of the old nose margins has been removed and the skin freshened to receive the flap.
To approximate the parts, the hand is laid palm down upon the shoulder; the resultant position of the arm and forearm are retained by bandages. The parts are now sutured. On the thirteenth day the line of division is traced out upon the arm with nitrate of silver, at the same time giving the flap somewhat the form required to give the nose its contour.
The next day the pedicle is cut and the arm is brought back into its normal position. With the division of the pedicle he advises including a portion of the aponeurosis and a few fibers of the supinator longus muscle.