Reconstruction of Subtotal Defect of the Lower Lip: Combined Use of Karapandzic and Nasolabial Flap.

Abstract

Subtotal reconstruction of the lower lip after excision of the tumor is always a challenge for surgeons. It is because of the difficulty in regaining the function of the lip, including the oral competency and restoring the aesthetic subunit. A 46-year-old patient presented with an ulceroproliferative growth involving 70% of the lower lip, including the right commissure. After theconfirmation to be a malignancy, patient underwent excision of the tumour and reconstruction of the lowerlip using the left Karapandzic flap and right nasolabial flap. The patient was on regular follow-up in the postoperative period to assess the surgical outcomes. The combined use of Karapandzic flap and the nasolabial flap can be reliably used for subtotal reconstruction of the lower lip in advanced oral cavity malignancy, involving one of the commissures. Later can ensure good postoperative results in terms of aesthetic and functional lip reconstruction without any significant intraoperative or postoperative complications.