Modified lip reduction for hypertrophic lip with mucinous degeneration

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Aesthetic Medicine
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Rare cases of hypertrophic lips due to mucinous degeneration pose aesthetic and functional challenges.
• Conventional lip reduction often fails to address white lip and deeper tissue hypertrophy, leading to incomplete contour correction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a modified layered lip reduction technique for diffuse upper lip hypertrophy.
• To assess the efficacy of this approach in improving lip contour and function.

Main Methods:

• A 15-year-old male with refractory upper lip hypertrophy underwent a modified layered lip reduction.
• The procedure involved excising redundant mucosa and reducing subcutaneous, glandular, and muscle tissues in both red and white lip regions.
• Three-dimensional facial analysis quantified lip volume, convexity, and interlabial angle changes.

Main Results:

• The modified technique achieved natural, symmetrical upper lip contour with preserved oral muscle function.
• Quantitative analysis showed a 1.41 mL reduction in upper lip volume and decreased lip convexity.
• The interlabial angle increased significantly, improving lip-facial harmony, with preserved dynamic smile function.

Conclusions:

• The modified layered lip reduction technique effectively treats complex lip hypertrophy involving vermilion and white lip.
• It offers precise contour control while preserving orbicularis oris muscle function.
• This method is a safe and effective surgical option for lip deformities, potentially yielding better aesthetic outcomes than traditional methods.