Reconstruction of the Lip

Lip defects are commonly encountered by facial reconstructive surgeons. Given the complex anatomy of the area, reconstruction of this area can be very challenging, especially for large defects. This chapter will begin by reviewing the pertinent anatomy of the lip, and will be followed by an extensive discussion of the reconstructive option for simple and complicated lip defects. The reconstructive ladder approach will be used to discuss a large number of reconstructive techniques including a wide array of local flap options. The author will also discuss how to mitigate and manage the common complications of lip reconstruction.