Full-thickness nasolabial facial artery flap: A modified surgical approach for reconstruction of lower lip defects.

Abstract

Reconstruction of large lower lip defects remains challenging in terms of aesthetics, function and safety. The aim of this study is to explore a modified nasolabial flap to repair large lower lip defects. The full-thickness nasolabial facial artery flap was used for reconstruction of defects in lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients after tumor ablation. The postoperative recovery of patients was obtained through clinical review and follow-up in the first and sixth month. There were four LSCC patients who received tumor ablation at the Beijing Stomatological Hospital of Capital Medical University from November 2022 to March 2023, were included in our study. All patients did not suffer from postoperative infection, orocutaneous fistula, flap necrosis, and flap loss. One patient had the trapdoor deformity. These patients achieved better lip closure function. One patient developed cervical lymph node metastasis 2 months after surgery. The modified nasolabial flap could achieve good outcomes in terms of aesthetics, function, and safety. It provided a supplementary strategy for the using of nasolabial flap in larger defects of lower lip.