A regional approach to reconstruction of the upper lip.
OBJECTIVE
This articles reviews the results obtained when cheek or lower lip flaps, or a combination of these flaps, are used for the reconstruction of defects of the upper lip.


METHODS
Twenty-four cases of either partial or total full-thickness defects of the upper lip were reconstructed. Four cases with lateral full-thickness partial defects were reconstructed by advancing a cheek flap using the Bernard-Burow method. In five cases, defects located at the junction of the upper lip and the cheek were reconstructed with an Estlander flap. Four patients with a tight upper lip were corrected with an Abbé flap. In two cases, a modified mucomuscular Abbé flap was used for reconstruction of a vermilion defect of the upper lip. Nine patients with subtotal or total full-thickness defects of the upper lip were reconstructed with a combination of bilateral or unilateral cheek flaps using either the Bernard-Burow or Dieffenback method and T-shaped or oblong Abbé flap.


RESULTS
All regional flaps healed uneventfully, and the function of reconstructed upper lips had recovered within 2 years postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of regional flaps to reconstruct partial or total full-thickness defects of the upper lip can usually achieve satisfactory functional and esthetic results.
Yih
W Y
WY
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, School of Dentistry, Portland 97201, USA.
Howerton
D W
DW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009625:Noma / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome