The Reliability and Versatility of Facial Artery Perforator-Based Nasolabial Flaps in the Reconstruction of Lip Defects

ABDELMAUGOOD, AYA AHMED; Mazeed, Ahmed; Abdel Megeed, Ahmed Gaber; El Sayed, Gamal Youssef

doi:10.21608/ejprs.2025.425119

The Reliability and Versatility of Facial Artery Perforator-Based Nasolabial Flaps in the Reconstruction of Lip Defects

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ The Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, New Valley University

² The Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University

10.21608/ejprs.2025.425119

Abstract

Background: The lips are the active focal point of the lower
third of the face, making lip reconstruction a particularly
difficult task for a plastic surgeon. The goals of lip reconstruction
are both functional and aesthetic, and the surgical techniques
frequently overlap.
Objective: To assess the functional and aesthetic results
of facial artery perforator-based nasolabial flaps in the reconstruction
of lip defects, regarding flap survival and complications,
donor site morbidity, and the aesthetic outcome of the
flap and donor site.
Patients and Methods: Twenty patients participated in the
current study, which was conducted from January 2020 to January
2022 and included a six-month follow-up. Eight cases had
post-tumor resection lip defects. Twelve flaps had post-traumatic
defects; the defect size ranged from ½ to 2/3 of the lip < br />size.
Results: Twelve flaps survived completely; venous congestion
was treated conservatively in six flaps; two flaps required
debridement due to distal flap necrosis, reconstructed
by local flap advancement. In fifteen cases, the donor site scarIt
was extremely good.
Conclusion: Nasolabial flaps based on the facial artery perforatorThey
are easy to harvest, simple, and reliable. They offer a
satisfactory functional outcome with preservation of touch and
temperature sensitivity, particularly when the defect is accompanied
by substantial mucosal and cutaneous abnormalities.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Flaps

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