title: Pattern of presentation and management of lip injuries in a Nigerian hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human lip injuries, although uncommon, present major challenges in terms of reconstructive options and the outcome of surgical management. The reconstructive techniques are usually varied but the ultimate objectives of treatment are to achieve healing, function, and aesthetics. The aim of this study was to report the etiology, pattern of presentation, and surgical management of lip injuries in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of consecutive cases of lip injury was conducted at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Data collected included age and sex of patients, etiology, pattern of presentation, and surgical techniques of repair.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 13 patients with lip injury to the lip were included in the study (M = 6, F = 7). Human bite (11 cases) was the most common cause of injury followed by electric burns (2 cases). The most (81.8%) frequently affected site was the lower lip. Most patients presented within 72 hours after injury with infected wound. Treatment offered included thorough debridement and primary repair using various surgical techniques. A one-stage surgical technique was employed in all cases. Healing was uneventful in all cases and satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the lip injuries in the present study were due to human bites with almost equal sex distribution. Lower lip was most commonly affected. All cases were successfully treated by debridement, broad spectrum antibiotic coverage, and one-stage surgical repair with a favorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Lagos, Nigeria. lanreadeyemo@yahoo.com
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Adeyemo
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Taiwo
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Adeyemi
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Adewole
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Gbotolorun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001734:Bites, Human / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult