Lip reconstruction with cervical platysma muscle randomized flaps

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Surgical reconstruction of lip deformities requires proper anatomical knowledge and surgical techniques. Factors such as location, extent, depth, and appropriate initial treatment of the lesion are parameters that are simultaneously analyzed to identify the most suitable surgical strategy. The flap described by Tsur is defined as a platysma muscle randomized flap, and can be raised from the neck as a unipedicled or bipedicled tube, depending on the size and location of the loss of substance. This may include the hairy cervical area, and it can be used in defects of the partial or total plane of the lip.

Method:

Three patients with extensive loss of lip substance underwent surgery. A bipedicled flap was used in two cases, and a unipedicled flap in one case.

Results:

In the first patient, one pedicle of the cervical flap was released on the 15th postoperative day. After 30 days, we released the other, after full integration into the upper lip. From this, flaps were randomly made for the reconstruction of the lower lip, columella, and nasal tip. The second patient developed necrosis of the central portion of the flap, and the recipient bed was anchored next to the commissure. The patient showed improved salivary continence. The third patient progressed well, and the tongue flap used to reconstruct the upper lip was released three weeks later.

Conclusion:

Reconstruction with a Tsur flap was useful in cases of total reconstruction of the upper and lower lip, in addition to being a great alternative in situations in which it was impossible to use microsurgical flaps. This technique also allowed the achievement of satisfactory aesthetic outcomes, and resulted in the recovery of masticatory function and appropriate speech, despite the initial complexity of the cases.

Keywords:
Reconstruction; Lip; Surgical flap; Neck