title: Central upper lip reconstruction by two vermillion flaps and a rotational skin flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lip cancer is the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. Defects larger than one-fourth of total upper lip length require reconstruction by established techniques or multiple procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient was a 53-year-old man who presented with a 1.5 cm basal cell carcinoma in the central upper lip. Two opposed vermillion flaps were designed and advanced following radical tumor excision to create a new skin-vermilion border. A rotational skin flap was prepared to maintain the normal aspect of the filter area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient was evaluated 1 year after the operation. He showed well-healed flaps with excellent aesthetic and functional results of the filter area and Cupid's bow.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within certain limits (maximum one-third of total upper lip length), double vermillion opposing flaps with a rotational skin flap appear to be a valid method for upper lip reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chirurgia Plastica Ricostruttiva, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Donato, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy. luca.vaienti@unimi.it
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vaienti
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zilio
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Matteo
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riccio
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marchesi
mesh_terms: D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000601:surgery; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome