Regional approaches to the reconstruction of the lip region

Surgical operations on the lips are characteristically required when dealing with epithelial tumors in dermatosurgery. Aside from precancerous stages, the definitive removal of basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas is most common. The immediate reconstruction of lip defects proves successful, utilizing the histologic examination of the cut edge by cryotechnique. All operative techniques that reconstruct the circular musculature of the musculus orbicularis oris in its natural uniformity are appropriate. Of the large variety of reconstructive procedures, this article discusses those techniques that are used routinely.