Abbe flap secondary reconstruction of the upper lip defect: A case report

Abstract

Background : Gnatoschizis is a congenital disorder that affects the formation of cleft in lip and palate. Patients withgnathoschisis frequently need secondary reconstruction to enhance both the appearance and function of their lips evenafter labioplasty and palatoplasty have been completed Defects involving more than one-third of the lip require flap surgery.

Purpose : This case study aims to demonstrate the use of an Abbe flap along with rhinoplasty for the secondary restoration of the upper lip in a patient who had bilateral gnathoschisis. Case : A 13-year-old female patient complained of bilateral cleft in her palate and gum. She had undergone labioplasty and palatoplasty a few years before.The patient is scheduled to undergo secondary lip reconstruction with an Abbe flap along with rhinoplasty.

Case management : A triangular flap involving the mucosa, muscle, and skin of the lower lip was made. Incision in the midline of the upper lip-subnasal served as the recipient site. The flap was then rotated and sutured to the upper lip, followed by reconstructing the alar region. The follow-up after 21 days post-operative shows satisfactory outcomes.

Conclusion : Improving patient's lip function and aesthetics is the primary goal of the Abbe flap technique as it is usedfor secondary reconstruction. This flap has been used widely and has shown to provides satisfactory results.

Keywords: Abbe flap, secondary reconstruction, gnatoschisiz