Formation of Cupid's Bow and Vermilion Tubercle using Inferior-Based Lip Skin Flap in a Secondary Bilateral Cleft Lip Deformity

ABSTRACT

The author presents a new method for the formation of Cupid's bow and the vermilion tubercle by using the inferior-based lip skin flap in a secondary bilateral cleft lip deformity. The length of the flap includes the entire length of the previous upper lip scar. Both skin flaps are elevated and turned down toward the central part of the vermilion. The distant portion of the turned-down skin flaps are deepithelialized and trimmed according to the new shape of Cupid's bow. The deepithelialized portions of both flaps are buried under the central vermilion mucosa in order to create the vermilion tubercle.