Full-thickness labial flaps to reconstruct facial defects in four dogs

To describe the use of the upper lip for reconstruction of the external nose and closure of large facial defects in dogs.

Four dogs with facial defects with exposure of the underlying nasal cavity.

Short case series.

A variation of the lip-to-lid technique was used to reconstruct one-half of the external nose after resection of a mast cell tumor in one dog. A full-thickness labial transposition flap (upper lip) was used to reconstruct facial and nasal defects exposing the nasal cavity. A cylindrical mucosal graft was employed in the restoration of nostril patency in one dog.

The lip-to-lid variation (also known as lip-to-nose) restored the right nostril and nasal planum after mast cell tumor resection in one dog. In three dogs, the nasal defects were reconstructed with full-thickness upper labial transposition flaps. Restoration of nostril patency in one dog was also aided by the cylindrical mucosal graft.

The full-thickness labial transposition flap and the lip-to-lid flap variation were successfully used to reconstruct major defects of the external nose and facial defects involving the nasal cavity.

Composite flaps of the upper lip should be considered to close problematic nasocutaneous fistulas and restore function to the external nose. The upper lip provides a source of mucosa to restore patency of stenotic nares or obstructed nostrils.