Options for upper lip reconstruction: a survey-based analysis.

[BACKGROUND] Clinical factors such as size and location, but also surgeon experience and comfort level, may influence decisions in reconstructive methods.

[OBJECTIVE] To survey a select group of surgeons for their reconstructive choices for a moderate-sized upper lip defect.

[METHODS] Surveys were mailed to 313 facial plastic surgeons. Survey recipients were asked to rank reconstructive preferences for a specific upper lip defect. Response choices were correlated to predictor variables such as surgeon experience and comfort level.

[RESULTS] Survey response was 45.6%. Cheek advancement flap was the first choice in 34.4%, followed by Abbé flap (31.2%), myocutaneous rotation flap (20.5%), and nasolabial flap (13.9%), with the nasolabial flap being statistically the least popular (p<.01). For surgeons with more than 20 years' experience and those with less than 10 years' experience, the Abbé flap was the most common first choice (38.9% and 32.4%, respectively). For surgeons with 11 to 20 years experience, the cheek advancement flap was the most common first choice (46.2%).

[CONCLUSIONS] A poll of a select group of surgeons demonstrated variability in their choice of upper lip reconstruction options, although the nasolabial flap was found to be the least-chosen option. Trends in choices based upon experience and comfort level were demonstrated.