Functional and aesthetic reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the lower lip after tumor resection: analysis of 59 cases and discussion of a surgical approach.
BACKGROUND
Carcinoma of the lower lip is a common cancer of the head and neck region. The accepted standard of care is surgical resection and reconstruction. The delicate location poses a challenge to surgeons because they have to aim for conflicting goals: complete oncological resection and functional and aesthetic restoration. For over a century, this challenge led to the development of more than 100 different reconstructive procedures.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a standardized surgical approach to simplify selection of an adequate reconstructive procedure.


METHODS
We performed a review of the literature and a retrospective analysis of 59 patients treated according to a standardized surgical approach over the past 5 years.


RESULTS
By taking into account the anatomic location, the width of the defect, and the amount of tissue loss, three flowcharts have been developed to guide the physician to a selection of suitable reconstructive procedures for each case.


CONCLUSIONS
This surgical approach facilitated the successful reconstruction of all encountered defects, and over a mean period of 31 months, no recurrences or major complications were seen.
Faulhaber
Jörg
J
Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
Géraud
Cyrill
C
Goerdt
Sergij
S
Koenen
Wolfgang
W
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome