Double island pedicle or V-Y flap repair for partial-thickness combined defects of the cutaneous and mucosal lip

Abstract

Background: Removal of skin cancer at or near the vermilion border may result in a partial-thickness combined cutaneous and mucosal lip defect for which repair has potential for poor cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Objective: We sought to describe the closure and results from repair of combined lip defects using 2 island pedicle or V-Y flaps, 1 for the cutaneous lip and 1 for the mucosa.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with combined defects of the lip who underwent double island pedicle or V-Y flap repair from June 2008 to December 2013 was performed.

Results: Ten patients (6 female, 4 male; ages 35-89 years, mean age 60 years) had defects on the upper lip in 8 cases and on the lower lip in 2 cases. Follow-up was for 3 months or longer with good or excellent outcomes in all cases.

Limitations: This was a nonrandomized, unblinded clinical case series with a limited sample size.

Conclusion: Double island pedicle or V-Y flap repair is an elegant closure with good to excellent results and may avoid potential problems inherent in other repair options.

Keywords: Mohs micrographic surgery; V-Y flap; island pedicle flap; lip; skin cancer; vermilion.