Lower lip reconstruction using a skin-mucosa Abbe-Estlander flap after squamous cell carcinoma excision

Abstract

Abstract: Lips are structures that play an essential role in aesthetics and in different functions such as nutrition and speech. The complex anatomy of the lips – with three different layers composed of skin, mucosa, and muscles – makes surgical management of this area a therapeutic challenge. The use of flaps for the reconstruction of large defects with low risk of necrosis is possible given the abundant blood supply of the lips. We report a case of surgical reconstruction of the lower lip after the excision of a severe squamous cell carcinoma using a skin-mucosa Abbe-Estlander flap with a satisfactory final outcome.

Keywords

• Carcinoma, squamous cell
• Free tissue flaps
• Surgical flaps