The Efficacy of Facial Artery Musculomucosal Flap in Reconstruction of Lip Defects

Abouarab, Mohamed; El Tahan, Abbas K; Ghoazlan, Nasser A; Elshabani, Ahmed Esmail; Kholosy, Hassan M

doi:10.21608/ejprs.2023.284307

The Efficacy of Facial Artery Musculomucosal Flap in Reconstruction of Lip Defects

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

The Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Burns, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria

10.21608/ejprs.2023.284307

Abstract

Background: Defects of the lip represent a challenging
reconstructive problem. The causes of lip defects may be
trauma or following excision of benign or malignant lesions.
There are several options depending on the site and size of
the defect. The facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap < br />provides a reliable solution for this problem transferring
tissues similar to those of the lip.
Aim: Evaluation of reconstruction of lip defects using
FAMN.
Patients and Methods: This study was performed on 10
patients having lower lip defects in the period between 2018
and 2020 treated by FAMM flap technique. Before flap < br />coverage, the lip defect was prepared by removing any necrotic
tissue remaining after lip trauma. In cases of malignancy,
adequate excision with safety margin was done using frozen
section histopathological examination.
Results: Eleven FAMM flaps were performed on 10
patients. The causes of the lip defects were mainly following
excision of malignant lesions. The defect was in the lower lip < br />in eight patients and in the upper lip in two patients. The
defect was central in three cases and lateral in seven cases.
Unilateral flaps were done in nine patients, while bilateral
flaps were used in one patient. Two patients developed partial
flap necrosis which healed spontaneously. No donor site
complications were reported.
Conclusion: The FAMM flap is a local versatile flap that
can be used for lip and vermilion reconstruction.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Reconstructive surgery

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