Abstract
Cutaneous neoformations of the upper lip, especially non melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), are very common. The upper lip is composed of multiple cosmetic subunits and it is divided into a philtral subunit and two lateral ones. For what concerns philtral subunit, Cupid’s bow can be particularly difficult to be recreated after a surgical excision. The vermillion border, that has the function to separate the inner surface of the lip (oral mucosa) from the surrounding skin, lies directly on a circumoral band of orbicularis oris. This is a circumferential muscle with a rich vascular supply that gives the lips their shape, definition and function. Any surgical wound of the lip can be repaired successfully in a variety of ways and the goal is always to maintain the integrity of the philtrum and the Cupid’s bow. We present the case of a 63 year-old woman with a pinkish nodule of the central portion of the upper lip, focusing on surgical reconstruction.
Highlights
Dermatologic surgery aims to completely remove cutaneous neoformations
We present the case of a 63 year-old woman with a pinkish nodule of the central portion of the upper lip, focusing on surgical reconstruction
In 2003 Paniker et al described the gull-wing flap, that consists in the incorporation of the surgical defect into the arc of a seagull’s wing, with the center of the gull based at the vermillion border of the philtrum [5]
Summary
Dermatologic surgery aims to completely remove cutaneous neoformations. In the face the goal is to maintain the integrity of cosmetic subunits with a scar as little as possible. Cutaneous neoformations of the upper lip, especially non melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), are very common. For what concerns philtral subunit, Cupid’s bow can be difficult to be recreated after a surgical excision.
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