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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Gracilis free muscle transfer for morpho-functional reconstruction of the lower lip.
Francesco MoschellaAdriana CordovaSalvatore D'arpasubject
Malemedicine.medical_specialtyLower lipFree flaptotal lower lip reconstruction • free innervated gracilis flap • lower lip carcinoma • sensate lower lip reconstruction • dynamic lower lip reconstructionSurgical FlapsLip NeoplasmLip reconstructionmedicineHumansGracilis muscleSurgical FlapsMuscle SkeletalAgedbusiness.industryAnatomyLipSurgeryFunctional reconstructionstomatognathic diseasesOtorhinolaryngologyLip NeoplasmsCarcinoma Squamous CellMuscle transferNeoplasm Recurrence Localbusinessdescription
Background. Large full-thickness defects of the lower lip need free tissue transfer. The free forearm flap is the more widespread technique for free flap lower lip reconstruction, but it results in a static lip. The authors describe a technique of morphodynamic sensate reconstruction of the lower lip with a free gracilis flap and a musculomucosal flap. Methods. Three patients underwent reconstruction with an innervated free muscular gracilis flap, an innervated musculo-mucosal flap for the vermillion (2 cases), and a full-thickness skin graft. Results. No significant complications were observed. Static function and vermillion sensitivity were immediately restored. The skin color match was excellent. After 9 months, contraction of the transferred muscle was evident. Conclusion. The lip is a dynamic unit. The innervated gracilis muscle seems ideal for lip reconstruction in that it correctly replaces all the lip layers and compensates for the lost function much better than a static technique. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-11-06 | Headneck |