Local myocutaneous advancement flaps. Alternatives to cross-lip and distant flaps in the reconstruction of ablative lip defects.

Cross-lip and distal flaps are still advocated in current literature for the reconstruction of large, traumatic, or surgically created lip defects. Myocutaneous advancement flaps, however, have yielded a functionally and cosmetically superior result. Moreover, they represent single-stage repairs that are technically easy to create. The most common complication noted with the use of a Karapandzic labioplasty has been a relative microstomia. An easily introduced, tripartite maxillary denture has been designed for thus affected edentulous patients. The use of these flaps in the management of advanced lip cancers dictates careful perioperative planning, principles of which are described.