Z plasty closure of lower lip defects after tumor excision.

Reconstruction of the defects of the lower lip should provide a sensate, functional, and aesthetic lip structure. Defects of the lower lip, up to 30% of the total width, can be closed primarily, which gives a better result than any known flap operation unless the contracture of the linear scar tissue distorts the anatomic landmarks. Taking this possibility into consideration and to prevent scar contracture, we have performed Z plasty to the skin component while closing the resultant central defects of the lower lip after tumor excision. This modification improved our cosmetic results.