Background: The lips are the active focal point of the lower
third of the face, making lip reconstruction a particularly
difficult task for a plastic surgeon. The goals of lip reconstruction
are both functional and aesthetic, and the surgical techniques
frequently overlap.
Objective: To assess the functional and aesthetic results
of facial artery perforator-based nasolabial flaps in the reconstruction
of lip defects, regarding flap survival and complications,
donor site morbidity, and the aesthetic outcome of the
flap and donor site.
Patients and Methods: Twenty patients participated in the
current study, which was conducted from January 2020 to January
2022 and included a six-month follow-up. Eight cases had
post-tumor resection lip defects. Twelve flaps had post-traumatic
defects; the defect size ranged from ½ to 2/3 of the lip < br />size.
Results: Twelve flaps survived completely; venous congestion
was treated conservatively in six flaps; two flaps required
debridement due to distal flap necrosis, reconstructed
by local flap advancement. In fifteen cases, the donor site scarIt 
was extremely good.
Conclusion: Nasolabial flaps based on the facial artery perforatorThey 
are easy to harvest, simple, and reliable. They offer a
satisfactory functional outcome with preservation of touch and
temperature sensitivity, particularly when the defect is accompanied
by substantial mucosal and cutaneous abnormalities.