“Lip shave” or vermilionectomy: Indications and technique

Abstract

Summary Excision of the exposed mucosa or vermilion of the lips can be readily and safely performed under local an˦sthesia and is particularly indicated in situations requiring resurfacing of the lip, notably extensive precancerous leukoplakia or chronic solar cheilitis—the chronic sunburn of the weather-beaten farmer's or sailor's skin or tropical skin of the inhabitants of sunny climates. The shave can also be employed for reduction of lip size in hyperttrophy and should be combined with a V-resection whenever frank epithelioma is associated with leukoplakia of the remainder of the lip in order to prevent the occurrence of a new lesion elsewhere on the lip. The shave is thus a non-deforming plastic operation of great value in the prophylaxis and treatment of lip cancer and in the cosmetic correction of certain congenital, neoplastic, and traumatic lip deformities.