A New Modification of Fan Flap for Large Lower Lip Defects

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Oncology

Background:

• Lower lip defects, often from cancer, trauma, or burns, impair crucial functions like eating and speaking.
• Reconstructing large defects (over 80%) of the lower lip presents significant challenges.
• Current methods like primary repair and local flaps are insufficient for extensive lip loss.

Observation:

• A modified fan flap, termed the extended fan flap, was utilized for reconstruction.
• The study included 12 patients with lower lip defects exceeding 80% of the lip, primarily due to squamous cell carcinoma excision.
• The patient cohort consisted mainly of males (80.9%) with an average age of 66.8 years.

Findings:

• The extended fan flap procedure resulted in no major postoperative complications.
• Satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes were achieved in all patients.
• Restoration of lip sphincter function enabled normal mastication, eating, and salivary control, with no instances of microstomy, allowing for artificial dentition.

Implications:

• The unilateral extended fan flap is a safe and reliable surgical option for extensive lower lip reconstruction.
• This technique effectively addresses functional deficits and improves aesthetic appearance in patients with total or near-total lower lip defects.
• The findings support the extended fan flap as a valuable tool in reconstructive surgery for challenging lower lip defects.