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Indications
- Lip defects resulting from cancer ablation or trauma
- Lip deformities resulting from congenital malformations, tumors, paralysis, scarring
Anesthesia
- Local or general
Duration
- 1.5 - 4.0 hrs
In / Outpatient
- Outpatient or inpatient, depending on complexity
Procedure
- Local flaps, from the adjacent or opposing lip, are generally employed to restore function and a pleasing aesthetic appearance
Recovery
- Swelling and bruising affecting the lips peak at 2 days after surgery and rapidly resolve over the next 2 weeks
- Lip numbness, drooling, discomfort or inability to fully open or close the mouth are common initially, but rapidly resolve
- Return to school or work after 2 weeks, but no strenuous activity or contact sports for 4 weeks
- Subtle swelling may persist for up to 6 months
Result
- Provides a permanent correction
Risks
- Infection, hematoma, scarring
- Residual asymmetry or deformity