From Dr. Lampert:
Dog Bite Partial Upper Lip Amputation: I performed a cross lip flap from the lower lip to reconstruct the missing portion of the left upper lip in this young man. He is seen here 3 months postop after staged reconstruction for this traumatic dog bite. I think the best way to reconstruct a partial upper lip defect like this is by using like tissue. The lip is “expensive Realestate”, anatomically speaking! What is cool about this case is that I use a segment of the lower lip (based off of the labial artery) to reconstruct the missing portion of the upper lip and Cupid’s bow. The lips are essentially connected by the artery (or pedicle) for about 2 weeks. During that time, blood vessels grow into (or collateralize into) the segment of lip transferred. Once adequate collateral blood supply grows into the transferred lip segment, the Pedicle (labial artery) can be divided. During the second surgery, the lips are divided. Future scar revision and fat grafting will likely benefit.
X* Individual results may vary.
