title: Total upper lip reconstruction with a free temporal scalp flap: long-term follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In men, reconstruction of large full-thickness defects of the upper lip requires both an inner layer to replace the mucosal lining and an outer hair-bearing layer.
  
  
  METHODS
  When locating the superficial temporal vessels, the design of the temporal flap is marked following the hairline needed. After meticulously dissecting the flap, it is inset and microanastomosed with the facial blood vessels. The internal mucosal layer of the flap is grafted on. During the follow-up period, the sensory recovery and motor functions are examined and recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The postoperative courses were uneventful, and patients were satisfied with the results. One patient has a long follow-up period of 18 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The free temporal scalp hair-bearing flap offers a reasonable alternative to conventional techniques in the reconstruction of large defects of the male upper lip or even a total upper lip. It is a single-staged, relatively simple method of providing hair-bearing skin to the upper lip.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. kaoping.chang@seed.net.tw
authors.forename: Kao-Ping
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chung-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Chih-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Tsai-Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Sin-Daw
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012535:Scalp / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome