An improved design for vermilionectomy with a mucous-membrane advancement flap.

The author describes a modified mucous-membrane advancement flap for the repair of defects following the removal of premalignant actinic cheilitis or squamous cell carcinoma. The advantages of this modification over other techniques include a more broadly resurfaced lip bilaterally, and prevention of punctate scarring at the lateral oral commissures by use of a continuous mucous membrane in and around the commissures themselves.