ABSTRACT
Objective In order to cure some patients with the following characteristics which appear only when smiling: elevation and shortening of the upper lip, a transverse furrow below the co-lumella, and increased exposure of the maxillary gums, we reported a new surgical procedure to cor-rect this deformities. Methods By means of a transfixion incision extended laterally along the vestibu-lar or the upper gingivolabial sulcus incision, part of the depressor septi and orbicularis muscle were excised, and extensive separation were made to lower the upper lip. Results 27 cases of short upper lip were treated. Among the total, the transfixion incisions were made in 9 cases, and the upper gingi-volabial sulcus incisions were made in 18 cases. These procedures achieved lowering the upper lip, lighting or disappearing the transverse furrow, and covering the exaggerated exposure of the gums when patients smiled. At the same time the rhinoplasties were done in 6 cases. Through the above-mentioned we were able to correct the deformities on rhino-gingivolabial part only when the faces moved, achieved some kind of beauty for patients, and obtained satisfactory results. Conclusions Some patients have added defects .that are exported only when they begin to make facial movements. The cause of these characteristics is hypertrophy of the depressor septi nasi muscles. We describe the technique that is not only to correct the defects but also to enhance the patient's smile. It is worth to recommend for clinical application.