Combined Tongue Flap and Deepithelialized Advancement Flap for Thick Lower Lip Reconstruction

Summary: We repaired a long horizontal defect in the lower lip caused by the resection of squamous cell carcinoma by reconstructing the white lip with a V-Y advancement flap and vermilion with a tongue flap. During this procedure, we deepithelialized the V-Y flap, lifted the upper margin of the flap and sutured it to the remaining upper margin of the lip, and then covered it with the tongue flap, resulting in the successful reconstruction of a thick lip. There were no postoperative complications in articulation or swallowing. This novel procedure is a simple method to aesthetically and functionally reconstruct a thick lower lip.