The use of tissue expanders in the reconstruction of orofacial defects secondary to congenital rubella: case report.

A patient with a severe orofacial defect secondary to congenital rubella is described. The absence of the lower portion of the orbicularis oris muscle, the death of tissue in the infralabial region, as well as the presence of only a vestigial lower lip has hitherto not been reported in the literature. Tissue expanders were used to provide tissue for restoration of the deficient soft tissue of the submental region, a bipedicled flap from the upper lip was used to create a normal anatomic lower lip, and osseointegrated implants were used to stabilize a full denture prosthesis.