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

Background: The lips are the active focal point of the lowerthird of the face, making lip reconstruction a particularlydifficult task for a plastic surgeon. The goals of lip reconstructionare both functional and aesthetic, and the surgical techniquesfrequently overlap.Objective: To assess the functional and aesthetic resultsof facial artery perforator-based nasolabial flaps in the reconstructionof lip defects, regarding flap survival and complications,donor site morbidity, and the aesthetic outcome of theflap and donor site.Patients and Methods: Twenty patients participated in thecurrent study, which was conducted from January 2020 to January2022 and included a six-month follow-up. Eight cases hadpost-tumor resection lip defects. Twelve flaps had post-traumaticdefects; the defect size ranged from ½ to 2/3 of the lip < br />size.Results: Twelve flaps survived completely; venous congestionwas treated conservatively in six flaps; two flaps requireddebridement due to distal flap necrosis, reconstructedby 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 asatisfactory functional outcome with preservation of touch andtemperature sensitivity, particularly when the defect is accompaniedby substantial mucosal and cutaneous abnormalities.