title: T-shaped excision of the orbicularis oris muscle: an innovative technique for upper lip lift procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lips are a prominent part of the face and they age along with the face. Microsurgery for upper lip lifts is becoming popular because of its association with minimal trauma and rapid recovery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors introduced an innovative method of lifting the upper lip.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2009 to March 2013, a cohort of 30 women underwent an upper lip lift surgical procedure. Patients received local anesthesia for a regional block of the infraorbital nerve. A T-shaped orbicularis oris and a strip of skin were excised. The superior edge of the orbicularis oris muscle was sutured to the base of the nose, and the incision was closed with a continuous intradermal suture. Postoperative follow-up time ranged from 1 to 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of follow-up, the incisional scar was not visible on the patient. The nasolabial angle was 96.20° ± 1.86° before operation and 88.23° ± 2.58° after operation. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.000 and P < 0.001). The upper lip angle was 65.56° ± 8.60° before operation and 51.90° ± 3.93° after operation. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.000) and P < 0.001). After operation, the upper lip appeared to be clearly thickened.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This innovative surgical technique is a simple and effective way to lift the upper lip.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, HuiZhou Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Huizhou, China.
authors.forename: Gan-lin
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, HuiZhou Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Huizhou, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, HuiZhou Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Huizhou, China.
authors.forename: Jian-hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, HuiZhou Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Huizhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-fang
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, HuiZhou Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Huizhou, China.
authors.forename: Hua-sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Zhang