Microsurgical lip replantation: Evaluation of functional and aesthetic results of three cases

• Published in: Microsurgery Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 265 - 269
• Main Authors: Duroure, F., Simon, E., Fadhul, S., Fyad, J.P., Chassagne, J.F., Stricker, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2004; Wiley-Liss
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Beauty; Biological and medical sciences; Bites and Stings - complications; Dogs; Female; General aspects; Humans; Lip - injuries; Lip - surgery; Medical sciences; Microsurgery - methods; Middle Aged; Recovery of Function; Replantation - methods; Treatment Outcome; Wounds and Injuries - etiology; Wounds and Injuries - surgery; Wounds, Stab - complications; Case study; Human; Evaluation; Lip; Functional recovery; Treatment; Stomatology; Microsurgery; Plastic surgery; Aesthetics; Replantation
• ISSN: 0738-1085; 1098-2752
• DOI: 10.1002/micr.20018

Lip amputations are rare, and microsurgical replantation must be systematically tried to restore form and function in one step. The authors present a series of three cases. Revascularization of the amputated segment was obtained by arterial anastomosis with the corresponding labial coronary artery. No venous anastomosis was carried out, because no vein could be identified. Venous drainage was obtained by inducing bleeding and by postoperative application of leeches for 6 days. Anticoagulant therapy and antibiotherapy were used for 10 days. With this approach, two lip amputations were completely saved, and a third amputation only suffered partial necrosis. Aesthetic and functional results were evaluated as being good, with reestablishment of labial continence and recovery of protective sensitivity. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.