Direct primary closure feasible for lower lip reconstruction

(HealthDay) -- Direct primary closure without undermining is a reliable method of reconstructing vermilionectomy defects of the lower lip, according to research published online June 18 in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Rupert B.M. Barry, M.B., M.R.C.P., from the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, U.K., and colleagues described a case series of 17 patients who underwent vermilionectomy repair by direct closure without undermining. Postoperative cosmetic, functional, and sensory results were presented for the modified technique.

The researchers found that, six months after surgery, 10.5 percent of patients had minimal sensory disturbance, which was lower than that found in previous studies. Labial scar tension was less frequent than reported in previous studies. Satisfaction with cosmesis was expressed by 94 percent of patients.

"Direct closure without undermining is a simple, reproducible technique for repair of lower lip vermilionectomy defects and leads to excellent cosmetic, functional, and sensory results in the majority of patients," the authors write.

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