title: Nasolabial rotation flaps based on the upper lateral lip subunit for superficial and large defects of the upper lateral lip.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reconstruction of the defects of the upper lateral lip is still one of the most difficult challenges for plastic surgeons. No method specific to the superficial and larger defects of the upper lateral lip has been proposed before. Nasolabial rotation flaps based on the upper lateral lip subunit for superficial and large defects of the upper lateral lip are proposed.
  
  
  METHODS
  In six patients reported here, rotation flaps shaped to replace the subunits of the upper lip were used to repair defects. Three men and three women presented with unilateral superficial, large defects (occupying 50 percent of an upper lip subunit). The defect and upper lateral lip ratio ranged from 50 to 100 percent (average, 65 percent) in this series. All lesions were partial-thickness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up for all patients was 6 to 13 months (average, 6.8 months). No flap loss was noted. No patients had infection, hematoma, nerve injury, or secondary revision. The results were satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nasolabial rotation flaps based on upper lateral lip subunits are reliable for reconstructing large, superficial defects of the upper lateral lip. Because they preserve the normal facial appearance with minimal donor-site morbidity, excellent aesthetic reconstructive results are easily achieved by appropriate patient selection and preoperative planning.
authors.affiliation: Chicago, Ill.; and Taipei, Taiwan From the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Chicago, and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Medical College, Chang Gung University.
authors.forename: Gary C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Burget
authors.forename: Yen-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hsiao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000601:surgery; D060052:Nasolabial Fold / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome