Unilateral one stage nasolabial flap for reconstruction of the lips

Full-thickness nasolabial facial artery flap: A modified surgical approach for reconstruction of lower lip defects

OBJECTIVES

Reconstruction of large lower lip defects remains challenging in terms of aesthetics, function and safety. The aim of this study is to explore a modified nasolabial flap to repair large lower lip defects.

METHODS

The full-thickness nasolabial facial artery flap was used for reconstruction of defects in lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients after tumor ablation. The postoperative recovery of patients was obtained through clinical review and follow-up in the first and sixth month.

RESULTS

There were four LSCC patients who received tumor ablation at the Beijing Stomatological Hospital of Capital Medical University from November 2022 to March 2023, were included in our study. All patients did not suffer from postoperative infection, orocutaneous fistula, flap necrosis, and flap loss. One patient had the trapdoor deformity. These patients achieved better lip closure function. One patient developed cervical lymph node metastasis 2 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified nasolabial flap could achieve good outcomes in terms of aesthetics, function, and safety. It provided a supplementary strategy for the using of nasolabial flap in larger defects of lower lip.

Intraoral nasolabial flap for lower lip augmentation following post-radiation contracture

The nasolabial flap (NLF) has been reported extensively for reconstruction of various intraoral and extraoral defects resulting from trauma or ablative surgery. However, it has not been described for post-radiation lip augmentation. Herein, we present the case of a 74-year-old female who previously underwent a subtotal glossectomy and free flap reconstruction followed by radiotherapy. While oncologically the patient did well, she developed a significant lower lip contracture which compromised oral intake, denture placement, lip excursion, and psychosocial well-being. The patient underwent release of the scar contracture and a NLF was utilized intraorally to act as a spacer between the gingiva and inner lip mucosa to augment the soft tissue deficit. The patient went on to regain oral intake and placement of her dentures, while reporting significant satisfaction with the post-procedural benefits.

Inferiorly based nasolabial flap for reconstruction of full-thickness medium-sized lower lip and commissural defects following ablative cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Information regarding the design and usage of inferiorly based nasolabial flap for lower lip and commissural defect reconstruction following ablative cancer surgery remains limited. This study aimed to provide our design and experiences for such reconstructive purpose.

METHODS

Patients with lower lip or oral commissural cancer who received curative surgery involving reconstruction with inferiorly based nasolabial flap were included. The demographic data and clinical outcomes of these patients were obtained by retrospective chart review.

RESULTS

A total of eight patients were enrolled in this study. All patients received ablative surgery at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital during May 2019 to May 2021, with their surgical defects reconstructed with unilateral inferiorly based nasolabial flap successfully. Among the five patients with lower lip cancer, one had a limited area of necrosis at flap tip. Another patient had a small orocutaneous fistula that healed spontaneously. No trismus or oral incompetence was noted following recovery. For the three patients with commissural cancer, a second stage commisuroplasy was needed after primary reconstruction. One patient had limited wound dehiscence at mouth angle following surgery, resulting in mild oral incompetence. Although mild trismus was noted in these three commissural cancer patients, all patients resumed normal diet during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Inferiorly based nasolabial flap is an excellent local flap for lower lip reconstruction following cancer ablative surgery. It is also a viable option for reconstruction of oral commissural defects. Minimal donor side morbidity, good functional recovery, and esthetic outcomes can be achieved with meticulous flap design.

Infolding of Nasolabial Flap: An Excellent Surgical Technique for Full-Thickness Defect of the Lip

To find out the usefulness of the infolding technique of nasolabial flap to reconstruct full-thickness defects of the lower lip. It is a retrospective analysis of 5 surgically operated cases. The infolding nasolabial flaps were utilized for the full thickness defect over the lower lip in carcinoma of the oral cavity from January 2018 to July 2019. The patients were followed up for a minimum period of 12 months, and the outcomes were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 39.72 ± 7.58 years (range 30-52 years). The infolding nasolabial flap has used each case for the reconstruction of the lower lip. The average length and breadth of the flaps were 65 mm (range 60-75 mm) and 35 mm (range 30-40 mm), respectively. One patient presented with partial necrosis of the flap its tip. The functional and cosmetic outcomes were found satisfactory till 12 months of follow-up, and none of the patients had a recurrence of the disease. Infolding of the nasolabial flap can be a good surgical technique for the reconstruction of the full-thickness defect of the lower lip, ensuring satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes without causing major intraoperative/postoperative complications in patients with carcinoma of the lower lip.

Single-stage reconstruction of traumatic lower lip defects with chin island myocutaneous and labial mucosal flap

In the present study of eight cases of traumatic lower lip defects, the reconstruction was achieved in a single stage by V-Y advancement island chin myocutaneous flap and labial mucosal advancement flap. There are many methods described for the reconstruction of small-to-large size of lower lip defects from straight-line closure of small defects to local flaps and free flaps for large defects. V-Y advanced chin flap has been reported previously also for the repair of lower lip defect with varying results. The vermilion reconstruction in others reported cases was done with the free mucosal grafts, V-Y labial mucosa advancement, or pedicled tongue flaps. Tongue flap is a two-stage procedure with esthetically unnatural look and an irregular surface of the vermilion. The free mucosa graft showed necrosis partial or complete resulting in irregular surface of vermilion and notching in the lip. V-Y labial mucosa advancement was done more for a small defect of the lip only. In the present series, we have repaired the vermilion of the lip by labial mucosal advancement flap, muscle by advancement of orbicularis oris from chin flap, and skin by V-Y advancement of island myocutaneous chin flap. Our results showed normal oral size with no evidence of microstoma or commissural distortion; oral competence was good with normal sphincteric function. The vermilion reconstructed had normal color and sensation. Lip seal was very good without notching defect in the vermilion. Drooling of saliva or speech defect was not noticed. The facial expressions and the look of the face were near normal. Hence, esthetically and functionally, the results were good without any irregularity or notching of the lip along with no incidence of drooling of saliva. We think that this technique may be considered as a procedure of choice for managing the moderate-to-large post traumatic defects of the lower lip. It is good esthetically and functionally besides being single stage for reconstructing moderate-to-large defects of the lower lip and is satisfying to the patient.

Island NLF or Island FAMM Flap in Reconstruction of Oral Malignancy Defects?

Free tissue transfer is the reconstructive option of choice in oral defects of onco-resections. Local flaps like nasolabial flap and FAMM flaps need to be in the armamentarium of surgeons to use when need arises. The aim of this study is to assess utility of island FAMM or nasolabial flap in oral reconstruction, in an oncological setting. Patients with oral cancers, irrespective of nodal status, were included in the study. A total of 33 patients were enrolled from Jan 2018 to Feb 2019, of which 2 were discarded intra-operatively. Fifteen had NLF and 16 had FAMM flap reconstruction. Partial flap loss was noted in 2 patients that healed with granulation, secondarily. Island FAMM and island nasolabial flaps are equally good reconstructive options even in an oncological setup, if factors like addictions, socialising capacity of patient and presence of submucosal fibrosis can be ascertained.

The place of nasolabial flap in orofacial reconstruction: A review

BACKGROUND

The use of Nasolabial flap (NLF) to reconstruct orofacial soft tissue defects is one of the oldest methods for reconstruction in the medical literature. Despite widespread use of this invaluable flap, there are still controversies over the terms used for the description of this flap.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search was run in PubMed for articles in English language on nasolabial flap in oral cavity/facial reconstruction, between 1960 and 2016. Inclusion criteria was case series that focused on the anatomy, flap design, blood supply, composition, flap motion, and the reconstructed area and donor site complications.

RESULTS

560 articles were found in PubMed search for nasolabial flap (between 1960 and 2016). 84 articles with case series structure and available full text were included. The results of the search in this topic for anatomy, flap design, blood supply,NLF composition, flap motion, reconstructed area and donor site morbidity are presented.

CONCLUSION

Nasolabial flap is an old flap for reconstructive purposes. Over time different modifications have been introduced to expand its usage. Clear definition of the terms used with this flap is given.

Nasolabial Flap in Maxillofacial Gunshot Trauma: A Case Series

Introduction

The nasolabial flap (NLF) has many advantages in oromaxillary reconstruction, but the majority of cases are reconstructions after pathologic resections. Its usage in trauma surgery, especially in the management of gunshot wounds, is rarely mentioned.

Case Presentation

Three cases involving gunshot injuries to the face are presented: one for reconstruction of the nasal ala, another for bone graft coverage in mandibular reconstruction, and the third for the repair of premaxillary hard and soft tissue avulsive defects.

Conclusions

The NLF is a thin, pliable flap and is useful for intraoral and facial reconstruction of trauma patients with small to moderate soft tissue loss.