Upper lip reconstruction using a pedicel superficial temporal artery flap

The hair-bearing superficial temporal artery free flap has been used in men for total upper lip reconstruction. In this paper we present a case of a partial upper lip defect in a man that was reconstructed with a pedicle superficial temporal artery flap.

Following a car accident, a 35-year old man sustained a partial upper defect. The defect included the entire "outer lamella" (i.e. the skin and red lip) of the right hemi-lip as well as the outer part of the muscle (i.e. partial defect of the middle lamella). A pedicle superficial temporal artery flap was raised and utilized to reconstruct the upper lip defect. There were no post-operative complications. The cosmetic and functional outcomes were excellent.

The hair-bearing pedicle superficial temporal artery flap is commonly used for eye-brow and beard reconstruction. Free superficial temporal artery flaps have also been utilized to reconstruct total upper lip defects. For the first time in the literature, our report introduces the use of the pedicle flap in partial upper lip defects.

We demonstrate that the pedicle flap is much simpler than the free flap and is adequate for reconstruction of partial upper lip defects. We also demonstrate a good cosmetic and functional outcome; and highlight several technical points to ensure a satisfactory outcome.