Upper lateral lip flap for the coverage of large superficial labial defect.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of large superficial defects of the upper lip is challenging, as it requires the restoration of both function and morphology. To achieve optimal results, facial features and landmarks should be preserved and similar skin should be used. Moreover, in male patients, upper lip pilosity should be restored. Although myriad of local flaps have previously been described, few address these issues. Herein, we describe our results with an upper lateral lip rotation flap for large upper lip cutaneous defects coverage.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective study was performed including every patient who underwent an upper lateral lip flap between 2010 and 2017. Demographic data, defect dimensions, etiology, type of anesthesia, operative time, postoperative complications, functional and morphological outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were included. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia as outpatient procedures. The length of the operative procedure was 48minutes in average. The mean size of the superficial defect was 19mm (ranging from 6 to 30mm). All patients were fully healed after 15 days, and no flap necrosis (partial or total) was reported. No nasal or lip distortion was observed and facial hair was successfully restored in all male patients.

CONCLUSION: The upper lateral lip flap is a fast, safe, and reproducible procedure to cover defects of the lateral upper lip of up to 3cm. With scars hidden in natural folds and lip defects covered by lip tissues, this technique restores facial cosmetic features with very satisfying aesthetic outcome, especially in men as facial hair is restored.