Aesthetic repair of medial upper lip defects

Abstract

Objective To explore the aesthetic results of medial upper lip repair for skin and soft tissue defects using local flap. Methods According to the location and the size of upper lip defect, the modified rhomboid flap of 60 ° above the defect was designed to repair the wound in philtrum; the O-L flap along philtral column to vermilion border was designed to cover the wound close to the peak and lateral to philtral column. Results Twenty-one postoperative patients that underwent pigmented nevus removal (12 female, 9 male; ages 16-33 years) had defects in philtrum for 10 cases and close to the peak and philtral column for 11 cases. The diameter of the defect ranged from 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm. All flaps survived primarily without any complications and follow-up was for 1 to 18 months with excellent outcomes in all cases. All patients were satisfied with contour and functions. No pigmented nevus recurrence occurred. Conclusions The flap designed according to the aesthetic principle could be used to repair medial upper lip defect of medium-sized, which not only obtains functional reconstruction, but also satisfies aesthetic results, with aesthetic subunits saved and scar concealed. Key words: Upper lip defect; Philtrum; Aesthetic repair