Functional reconstruction of total lower lip defect with mental neurovascular V-Y advancement island flap / 中华口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce a method of functional reconstruction for total lower lip defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients with lower lip cancer were treated by surgery from November 2007 to February 2009. The full thickness defects with a size from eighty percent to total lower lip were reconstructed with two triangular mental neurovascular island flaps of chin. The musculocutaneous and mucous flaps with neurovascular pedicles were advanced in a V-Y manner to close the defect and reconstruct the orbicularis oris muscle.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All flaps survived and no recurrence and complication were observed and showed excellent cosmetic and functional results over 6 months of follow-up. The reconstructed lower lips provided a wide-enough mouth opening, and the sensation of oral mucosa and the muscle function of oral sphincter were preserved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The technique of mental neurovascular V-Y advancement island flap can get satisfactory results in both functional and the aesthetic perspects.</p>