Use of the vermilion myomucosal flap with or without the mentolabial skin flap for lower lip reconstruction

• Autor(a) principal: Oliveira,Milton Paulo de
• Data de Publicação: 2011
• Outros Autores: Martins,Pedro Djacir Escobar, Cunha,Guilherme Larsen da, Alvarez,Gustavo Steffen, Gazzalle,Anajara, Siqueira,Evandro José
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1983-51752011000300012
• topic: Lip/surgery; Surgical flaps; Reconstructive surgical procedures

BACKGROUND: Several techniques that have been described for reconstructing the lower lip often produce microstomia, commissure distortion, functional impairment, and decreased sensitivity. A technique for preserving neuromuscular tissue during a single-stage lip reconstruction is reported in this study. This technique involves the use of the vermilion myomucosal advancement flap with or without the mentolabial skin flap. METHODS: This study analyzed 17 male patients with squamous cell carcinoma. The mean patient age was 54.8 years, and incidence of lip defects after resection ranged from 20% to 85%. RESULTS: Infection, nerve damage, or the requirement for surgical revision was not observed in any patient during the follow-up period of three months. Three patients had microstomia with slight posterior enlargement of the lip. All patients had good sensitivity and adequate sphincter continence. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the vermilion myomucosal flap with or without the mentolabial skin flap resulted in a minimal risk of microstomia or functional incompetence. This procedure is performed in a single surgical stage and has good aesthetic and functional results for reconstruction of up to 80% of the lower lip