Lip Reconstruction after Mohs Cancer Excision: Lessons Learned from 615 Consecutive Cases

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Dermatology
• Oncology

Background:

• The lips are crucial for facial aesthetics and function, including speech and swallowing.
• Reconstructing lip defects presents challenges due to surrounding facial anatomy.
• Evolving surgical techniques aim to optimize outcomes and simplify lip reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the evolution of lip reconstruction techniques over 14 years.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of different reconstructive modalities.
• To identify factors influencing complication rates in lip reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 615 patients undergoing lip reconstruction after Mohs surgery (2004-2018).
• Evaluation of patient demographics, defect characteristics, and reconstructive methods.
• Analysis of complication rates and treatment evolution over time.

Main Results:

• Linear closure and V-wedge excision were the most common repair methods.
• The overall complication rate was 10.2%, including oral incompetence and cancer recurrence.
• No significant difference in complications was observed in elderly, smoking, or anticoagulated patients.

Conclusions:

• Surgical techniques shifted towards more reliable linear closure methods.
• Lip reconstruction is a safe procedure for diverse patient populations, including elderly, smokers, and those on anticoagulation.
• Refined techniques improve results and minimize complexity in lip defect repair.