Lip Surgery - Surgical Indications

The most common reason for creation of a lip defect is to remove a lip cancer.  Cancers of the lower lip are most common and most often caused by sun exposure.  Although, tobacco use has also been implicated in their formation.  Cancers of the upper lip are less common but are more aggressive and more likely to metastasize or spread. 

Two types of surgeries are used to reconstruct the lip.  Both of these methods result in a decrease in the circumference of the mouth.   If the defect is less than 1/3 of the lip it can usually be reconstructed by removing a "V" shaped wedge from the lip and closing the lip primarily.  Defects between 1/3 to 2/3 of the lip can be reconstructed in two stages using an Abbe Estlander Flap.  This flap takes a portion of the intact lip (equal to 1/2 the length of the defect) and rotates this tissue into the defect.  After the final stage, the patient's upper and lower lip are of equal length but the oral circumference is reduced. 
 View Flap Technique   

Lip Surgery - Surgical Technique - "V" Resection for Squamous Cell Carcinoma 
 

Lip Surgery - Surgical Technique - Abbe-Estlander Flap

Lip Surgery - Post Operative Care

All incisions should be kept clean.  Antibiotic ointment should be applied three times a day and after 24 hours the wound may be washed.  The skin should not be hit, stretched or exposed to cold or direct sunlight.