Cheek flaps for reconstruction of full-thickness lip defects.

Abstract

Two patients with full-thickness defect of the lip reconstructed by a cheek flap are presented. The cheek flap was split into two flaps preserving subcutaneous vascular networks, one for external skin cover and the other for coverage of the oral lining. With this flap, an adequate intraoral vestibulum and easy denture-fitting could be maintained. Disadvantages of the flap described here are that whiskered men cannot use this flap for coverage of the oral lining, and that this cheek flap cannot be used for the reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the lower lip due to potential postoperative downward tendency, unless a simultaneous sling procedure or sphincter reconstruction is performed.