Abbe Estlander Flap for Upper Lip Reconstruction

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A patient with a carcinoma of the upper lip. These cancers are more aggressive than those of the lower lip. Most are due to sun exposure.			Defect after Excision.

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A flap is created from the lower lip and sewn into position in the upper lip.			The width of the flap is equal to one-half the width of the defect. The flap is based medially (towards the center) on a relatively thin pedicle.

5. After 4 to 6 weeks the pedicle is divided and the lips are released. By training the flap and with good circulation the flap can be released sooner in some patients.