Lower lip reconstruction with the Karapandzic flap or the Colmenero flap: Description of results

Reconstruction of medium and large oncological defects of the lower lip must preserve the functionality and aesthetics of the area and is usually solved with local pedicled flaps, rarely compared between them. The aim of this study is to analyse our case series of lower lip reconstruction using the Karapandzic flap or the Colmenero flap, and to describe their techniques and results.

We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent lower lip resection and reconstruction with the Colmenero flap or Karapandzic flap during the period 2015-2022 with a minimum follow-up time of more than one year. The defect size, treatment, complications, reinterventions and final outcome were analysed.

A total of 22 patients underwent surgery: 13 of them were reconstructed with Karapandzic flaps, all bilateral (26 flaps) and with a mean defect size of 4.05 cm (2.9-6.5 cm). 9 patients were reconstructed with Colmenero flaps, of which 4 bilaterally (13 flaps), with a mean defect size of 4.16 cm (3-7.5 cm). All flaps were viable and all complications (5 among Karapandzic flaps and 4 among Colmenero flaps), mostly minor, were resolved. There were no statistically significant differences between the sizes of the reconstructed defects or between the complications of the two flaps. All patients had a total oral intake of food, no speech defects and a good final aesthetic result.

The surgical techniques of lower lip reconstruction with the Karapandzic flap or the Colmenero flap are very reliable, simple in design, with similar and very satisfactory functional and aesthetic results.