Background: Reconstruction of the defects of the upper lateral lip is still one of the most difficult challenges for plastic surgeons. No method specific to the superficial and larger defects of the upper lateral lip has been proposed before. Nasolabial rotation flaps based on the upper lateral lip subunit for superficial and large defects of the upper lateral lip are proposed.
Methods: In six patients reported here, rotation flaps shaped to replace the subunits of the upper lip were used to repair defects. Three men and three women presented with unilateral superficial, large defects (occupying 50 percent of an upper lip subunit). The defect and upper lateral lip ratio ranged from 50 to 100 percent (average, 65 percent) in this series. All lesions were partial-thickness.
Result: Follow-up for all patients was 6 to 13 months (average, 6.8 months). No flap loss was noted. No patients had infection, hematoma, nerve injury, or secondary revision. The results were satisfactory.
Conclusions: Nasolabial rotation flaps based on upper lateral lip subunits are reliable for reconstructing large, superficial defects of the upper lateral lip. Because they preserve the normal facial appearance with minimal donor-site morbidity, excellent aesthetic reconstructive results are easily achieved by appropriate patient selection and preoperative planning.