title: Total lip reconstruction with tendinofasciocutaneous radial forearm flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Squamous cell carcinoma is a common tumour of lower lip. Small defects created by surgical resection may be readily reconstructed by linear closure or with local flaps. However, large tumours resection often results with microstomia and oral incompetence, drooling, and speech incomprehension. The goal of this study is to describe our experience with composite free radial forearm-palmaris longus tendon flap for total or near total lower lip reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This procedure was used in 5 patients with 80-100% lip defect resulting from Squamous cell carcinoma. Patients' age ranged from 46 to 82 years. They are three male patients and two female. In 3 cases chin skin was reconstructed as well and in one case a 5 cm segment of mandible was reconstructed using radius bone. In one case where palmaris longus was missing hemi-flexor carpi radialis tendon was used instead. All patients tolerated the procedure well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All flaps totally survived. No patient suffered from drooling. All patients regained normal diet and normal speech. Cosmetic result was fair to good in all patients accept one.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that tendino-fasciocutaneous radial forearm flap for total lower lip reconstruction is safe. Functional and aesthetic result approaches reconstructive goals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Beersheba 84101, Israel.
authors.forename: Eldad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Silberstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Beersheba 84101, Israel.
authors.forename: Yuval
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Krieger
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Beersheba 84101, Israel.
authors.forename: Yaron
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoham
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Beersheba 84101, Israel.
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arnon
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Beersheba 84101, Israel.
authors.forename: Amiram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sagi
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Beersheba 84101, Israel.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bogdanov-Berezovsky
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012867:Skin; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*