Repair of cutaneous and mucosal upper lip defects using double V‐Y advancement flaps

Abstract

The repair and reconstruction of the upper lip defects should focus on the important anatomical landmarks of the upper lip. In this investigation, double V-Y advancement flaps were used to simultaneously repair the cutaneous and mucosal defects of the upper lip. It was especially suitable for young patients with tight skin and high-risk scar hyperplasia in the donor sites. The objective was to examine the surgical outcomes following the simultaneous repairation of upper lip mucocutaneous defects using double V-Y advancement flaps. A retrospective review of all patients with defects near the vermilion border who underwent double V-Y flaps repair from July 2014 to November 2018 was performed. Transverse V-Y advancement flaps were used to repair the cutaneous defects and longitudinal V-Y advancement flaps to repair the mucosal defects. Fifteen patients (six males, nine females) were retrospectively reviewed. Defects spanning the vermilion border ranged from 0.8×0.5 to 2.5×1.5cm2 . Follow-up was for 3months or longer. There were no perioperative complications or visible postoperative scars, and major anatomic landmarks were preserved and reconstructed. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome. Double V-Y advancement flaps are suitable for the repair of superficial mucocutaneous defects smaller than 50% of the lateral upper lip, especially for younger patients with tight skin.