title: The upper lip lift using the 'bull's horn' approach.
abstract: Our lift lip technique consists of an excision of the white part of the upper lip directly beneath the nose in the shape of a 'bull's-horn', with advancement of the inferior border of the incision to the area directly beneath the nose. Pre-operative markings on the skin ensure the lip lift is approximately symmetric. Advancement of the inferior edge of skin directly beneath the nasal base lifts the lip, producing more visible vermilion and about 3 mm of tooth show at rest. The position of the final incision is such that it is located within the shadow of the nose. Meticulous technique produces an almost invisible scar. The amount and width of skin excised is individualized depending on the desired aesthetic goals. The procedure is straightforward and is usually performed under local anesthetic. Abdominal fat is frequently injected into both the upper and lower lips to increase the volume and improve the rejuvenation. Lip lifts using this technique provide an immediate, dramatic, and permanent result.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Director, Esthetique Internationale, 2219 York Road, Suite 100, Timonium, Maryland 21093, USA. oscar@ramirezmd.com
authors.forename: Oscar M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Anjum S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods*; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods