ABSTRACT
The cheek, while often thought of as a fairly innocuous part of the facial anatomy, nevertheless occupies a very visible part of the face. Reconstruction of the cheek is often necessary and while it does not compare in intricacy and visual impact with eyelid, lip, or nasal reconstruction, skillful restoration is nevertheless imperative. Because of its position in the face, however, it occupies a less crucial position than the central facial structures. This allows for some leeway in our reconstructions. All aspects of both cheeks cannot be seen together. This is in contrast, for example, to the nose where right and left alae are instantly comparable. So a reasonably accurate replica of the intact contralateral cheek will result in a very satisfactory reconstruction, while a less than accurate alar reconstruction will provide an inferior result.
