ABSTRACT
The management of perioral injuries is a complex topic that must take into consideration
the unique anatomy, histology, and function of the lips to best restore form and function
of the mouth after injury. Basic reconstructive principles include three-layered closure
for full-thickness lip lacerations. Additionally, special care is needed to ensure
an aesthetic repair of the cosmetically complex and important vermillion border, philtrum,
and Cupid's bow. Infraorbital and mental nerve blocks provide lip anesthesia for laceration
repair without distorting crucial aesthetic landmarks. Prophylactic antibiotics are
usually indicated in perioral injuries due to wound contamination with saliva. Perioral
burn management is controversial; however, most lip burns can first be managed conservatively.
Splinting, plasties, and other reconstructive options are available after secondary
healing of perioral burns. Hypertrophic scars are common in the perioral area after
trauma. The mainstays of treatment for hypertrophic scars on the lips are silicone
elastomer sheeting and intralesional steroid injections. For large perioral defects,
a myriad of reconstructive options are available, ranging from primary closure, cross-lip
flaps, and local tissue transfer, to free tissue transfers such as radial forearm
free flaps, innervated gracilis free flaps, anterolateral thigh free flaps, and osteocutaneous
free flaps.
KEYWORDS
Oral - lip - trauma - burn - laceration - reconstruction
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Lisa Danielle GrunebaumM.D.
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology/Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and
Dermatology
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1450 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136
Email: lgrunebaum@med.miami.edu