• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 1996

Since the upper lip does not receive direct actinic radiation, only 5% of lip tumors develop in the upper lip, while the lower lip is the site of the remainder. Among the lower lip cancer, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common tumor, especially the vermillion border of lower lip is the most common site. The aims of reconstruction of the lip are both aesthetic effect and functional restoration and the ideal procedure must produce a aesthetically normal, not-tao-tight lip and a good sensation and muscle tone of the lip. We have a satisfactory reconstruction of a subtotal loss of lower lip after squamous cell carcinoma extirpation using Gillies fan flap and the case is presented with reviewing a many published reports.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.292-296
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• 2023

Generally, if the size of a lip cancer defect exceeds 30% of the lower lip, a local flap or free flap is recommended. However, defects up to 50% of the lower lip in size have been reconstructed successfully by primary closure without a local flap or free flap. In one case, an 80-year-old male farmer who had smoked for more than 50 years presented with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip and underwent mass resection and supraomohyoid neck dissection. The defect accounted for almost 2/3 of the lower lip and was repaired by primary closure with V-shaped resection. Biopsy results confirmed pT2N0cM0 stage II disease with clear margins. In another case, a 68-year-old male also presented with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip and underwent mass resection. The defect accounted for about half the size of the lower lip but was repaired by primary closure with V-shaped resection. Both patients experienced no discomfort while eating or speaking and were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional outcomes with no evidence of recurrence. Thus, direct closure can be considered even in large lower lip cancers.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.33-36
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• 2022

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common cancer occurring in the oral cavity and oncologic wide cancer excision is a major cause of large lip defects. Large lower lip defect reconstruction with good functional and aesthetic results has always presented a challenge for plastic surgeons. There are various lower lip reconstruction methods depending on its size, location, and surgeon's expertise. This is a case of a large defect spanning more than two-thirds of the lower lip after wide excision due to squamous cell carcinoma. The Karapandzic flap was used to reconstruct the defect with a commissuroplasty carried out in a second operation, which yielded a relatively good functional and aesthetic result. No recurrences or metastases were observed within a one year follow-up period.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5187-5190
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• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between ${\beta}$-catenin immunoexpression and histopathological grades of lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). $\beta$-Catenin abnormal expression was found in 29% of the squamous cells of well differentiated LSCC, 63% of moderately differentiated and 86% of poorly differentiated, and therefor was significantly associated with histological grade (p=0.000). Nuclear $\beta$-catenin expression appeared in 5% of the cells and was also correlated with the histological grades (p=0.000). In 14.7% of the cells it was localized in the cytoplasm, again correlating with histology (p=0.002). According to this study the expression of $\beta$-catenin is an independent prognostic factor for histological grade and to the tumor differentiation. This appears to reflect a structural association and the role of $\beta$-catenin in tumor progression.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.324-328
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• 2021

Lip defects often occur following wide excision as a surgical treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Defects larger than one-half of the lip cannot be closed primarily and require flap surgery. Reconstruction of the oral sphincter function can be achieved by means of a local flap using the like tissue, rather than with a free flap utilizing different tissues. A defect of the lower lip requires reconstruction using different techniques, depending on its size and location. Herein, we present the case of a patient exhibiting a lip defect spanning more than two-thirds of the lower lip, after a wide resection due to squamous cell carcinoma. The defect was reconstructed using an Abbe flap and a staircase flap. Revision was performed after 16 days. The patient's oral competencies were fully restored 3 months postoperatively, and the esthetic results were ideal. Based on our experience, a combination of the Abbe and staircase flaps can produce excellent functional and esthetic outcomes in the reconstruction of a lower lip with a large defect. It can serve as a reliable reconstruction option for defects spanning more than two-thirds of the lower lip, not including the oral commissures.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.23-26
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• 2023

Lower lip reconstruction in cases with a full-thickness defect over one-third of the vermilion is challenging. Numerous conventional techniques have been applied with unsatisfactory surgical outcomes because of microstomia and oral commissure blunting due to shortened horizontal lip length. Herein, we present a case in which a full-thickness lower lip defect of more than one-third of the horizontal lip length was covered with a novel mucosal roofing flap reconstruction to minimize the loss of horizontal lip length and to preserve mouth opening. No recurrences or metastases were observed during 3 years and 6 months of follow-up, with horizontal lower lip length maintained and mouth opening of 2.5 finger breadths.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.168-174
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• 2005

Reconstruction of the lower lip requires consideration of several factors. There should be retained sensation, maintenance of oral sphincter function, and a large enough opening for the mouth. In addition, it is important to achieve an aesthetically acceptable appearance. Webster's modification of Bernard operation is one of good methods which satisfy above mentioned goals. The purpose of this article is to present the results and review the perioperative problems after reconstruction of the lower lip by this operation. We reviewed seven patients after surgical reconstruction by the same method between January of 1996 and December of 2003. Five patients were male and two were female. The mean follow-up period was 15 months. We obtained functionally and cosmetically acceptable appearance after reconstruction. Most of the reconstructed lower lips were large enough for full mouth opening, but one patient required additional commissuroplasty, and one other patient was treated with wound revision for dehiscence resulting from protrusion of mandibular lateral incisor tooth. All other patients accepted their facial appearance. In conclusion, careful planning and consideration for dental problems and proper closure tension may ensure satisfactory outcome & lower lip competence, when using this modified operative method for lower lip reconstruction.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.361-365
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• 2007

The reconstruction of perioral defects following resection of cancer on the perioral region has been a challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Surgical management of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) typically involves resection of the carcinoma with a 1cm margin of normal appearing tissue. A large surgical defect is often encountered. The goals of perioral reconstruction are esthetics and function, with oral competence and good lip control. Abbe described the operation that bears his name in 1898, when he reported on the repair of a "conspicuous deformity" in a 21-year-old man born with bilateral cleft lip and palate. Since that time, Abbe flap reconstruction has been used more frequently for repair following resection of malignancies. Large defects of the lips have been repaired with recent modifications of the Abbe flap. The technique has been popularized by Estlander for reconstruction of the lower lip. We have treated 70-year-old male patient with SCC on lower lip using Abbe-Estlander flap. Postoperatively the results showed good prognosis. So we report the result of its treatment and case with review of literatures.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2017

Background: The author analyse the impact of extracapsular lymph node spread and bone engagement in the ipsilateral neck of patients suffering squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lower lip. Methods: The data of 56 neck dissections performed in patients suffering SCC of the lower lip between January 2000 and December 2008 were retrospectively analysed. Statistical analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier life table method, and the survival rate was investigated with the log rank statistic and significance test. The values were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results: Nine patients took advantage from simultaneous treatment of tumor and prophylactic neck dissection (level I-III), reaching 100% survival rate. Patients suffering metastasized disease, who received radical neck dissection at the time of tumor treatment, presented 83.3% survival rate. Patients who underwent previous surgery and radiotherapy presented worse prognosis although radical neck dissection in case of extra-capsular spread only (24.7%) and osseous engagement (22.2%). Conclusion: Prophylactic neck dissection (level I-III) is recommended in T3-T4 N0 SCC. Simultaneous treatment of tumor and cervical lymph nodes provides a better prognosis as respect to delayed nodal management. Extra-capsular spread with or without bone engagement represents independent risk factor responsible for high mortality rate of SCC of the lower lip.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.377-383
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• 2023

Background Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignancy on the lower lip. Surgical excision, the standard treatment for SCC, requires full-thickness excision. However, no consensus exists about the appropriate surgical margin. Therefore, we investigated the appropriate surgical margin and excision technique by analyzing 23 years of surgical experience with lower-lip SCC. Methods We reviewed 44 patients with lower-lip SCC who underwent surgery from November 1997 to October 2020. Frozen biopsy was performed with an appropriate margin on the left and right sides of the lesion, and the margin below the lesion was the skin above the sulcus boundary. If the frozen biopsy result was positive, an additional session was performed to secure a negative margin. Full-thickness excision was performed until the final negative margin. In each patient, the total number of sessions performed, final surgical margin, and recurrence were analyzed. Results Forty-one cases ended in the first session, 2 ended in the second session, and 1 ended in the third session. The final surgical margins (left and right; n = 88) were 5 mm (66%), 7 mm (9%), 8 mm (2.3%), 10 mm (20.4%), and 15 mm (2.3%). During an average follow-up of 67.4 months (range, 12-227 months), recurrence occurred in one patient. Conclusion The final surgical margin was 5 mm in 66% (58/88) of the cases, and 97.7% (86/88) were within 10 mm. Therefore, we set the first frozen biopsy margin to 5 mm, and we suggest that a 5-mm additional excision is appropriate when frozen biopsy results are positive.