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Gracilis free muscle transfer for morpho‐functional reconstruction of the lower lip
Author(s) -
Cordova Adriana,
D'Arpa Salvatore,
Moschella Francesco
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.20723
Subject(s) - anatomy , lower lip , free flap , gracilis muscle , medicine , upper lip , surgery
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