Yu's Technique: An Optimal Local Flap for Lower Lip Reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to describe the authors' experience using the Yu flap, a rarely reported reconstructive technique that is an excellent method for lower lip reconstruction after sustaining large defects.

An observational retrospective study was designed to record all patients from 2010 through 2015 who had any lower lip disease that required wide resection and subsequent lip reconstruction using local flaps. The sample was supplied from the operating room database of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Rio Hortega University Hospital (Valladolid, Spain). Patients with lower lip injuries treated using reconstructive techniques other than the Yu technique were excluded from the study.

Seventeen patients (15 men, 2 women; age range, 41 to 91 yr) were treated by the Yu technique and the follow-up period was at least 9 months. Six left unilateral, 5 right unilateral, and 6 bilateral Yu flaps were performed during this period. No major complications occurred during follow-up. Good functional and esthetic results were observed after surgery in most patients.

Although the Yu technique is a seldom used reconstructive method, it is a straightforward technique based on local flaps that offers excellent results for medium and large lower lip defects.