[Vermilion reconstruction after dog bite injuries]

Dog bite injuries often concern the lips. In children, injuries of the face are most common, but also in adults so-called kissing injuries frequently happen. All-layer defects are treated by wedge excision in minor cases and by myocutaneous flaps in major cases of lower lip injuries, whereas upper lip defects are reconstructed by exchange flaps. If only the vermilion is concerned, mucosal flaps according to the von Esmarch technique yield very good aesthetic results with excellent function and without impairment of the mouth opening.