Lip Reconstruction in Lip Cancers Experience of the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department of Rabat about 40 Cases

Abstract: Introduction: Lip cancers are a distinct entity in cervicofacial oncology affecting an essential organ due to its functions. Their treatment is primarily surgical. Objective: To specify the methods of reconstruction following tumor excision, as well as postoperative complications, and to evaluate outcomes in terms of function and aesthetics. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including 40 patients operated on for lip tumors over a 3-year period. Results: Simple sutures, skin grafts, local flaps, regional flaps, free flaps, and perforator flaps (n = 20, 1, 9, 7, 2, and 1 respectively) were the reconstruction techniques used. Postoperative courses included suture dehiscence, transient flap congestion, partial flap necrosis, and postoperative infection (n = 2, 1, 1, and 4 respectively). Functional sequelae observed were mainly food leaks (n = 2), lower gingival exposure (n = 2), and residual microstomia (n = 4). Aesthetic outcomes were judged good in 80% and average in 20% of our patients. Conclusion: Surgery for lip cancer is relatively well codified. However, in the presence of a large tissue defect, choosing the reconstruction technique is challenging, given the potentially disabling functional and aesthetic sequelae for the patient.