V and W Lip Excisions

Because it receives more ultraviolet exposure than the upper lip, 90% of cases of lip cancer involve the lower lip. The anatomy of the lips includes three layers: skin, muscle (orbicularis oris), and mucosa. The vermilion (red part) is formed of non-keratinising mucosa; the “white line” is where the skin meets the vermilion. Alignment of this zone is the initial step—and one of the most important steps—in lip skin closure, as minor defects can stand out a lot.