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The Abbe Flap: A Retrospective Review of Cases
Marc Orlando, MD
James Lehman, Jr., MD
Summa Health System
2013-02-28
Presenter: Marc Orlando, MD
Affidavit:
Director Name: Douglas Wagner, MD
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Craniomaxillofacial
Background: Secondary lip deformities following cheiloplasty for cleft lip with or without palatoplasty may be functionally and aesthetically unacceptable. The cross-lip Abbe flap is well-suited for full thickness defects of the upper lip or lip-balancing revision to prior attempts at lip reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to review the senior author's experience in the treatment of the lip using the Abbe flap.
Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients having undergone cross-lip Abbe flap reconstruction was conducted. Data collected included the following: patient demographics, indications for surgery, complications and need for reoperation.
Results: A total of 44 patients underwent Abbe flap lip reconstruction spanning a 23-year period. With the exception of one patient, all had undergone repair of either bilateral or unilateral cleft lip with or without palate. Indications for flap use included: an unsightly cleft scar, whistle deformity of the lip, or lack of upper lip contour. The most common complication was hypertrophic scarring (20.5%), infection (2.3%) and flap venous congestion (2.3%). Nine-percent of patients required minor surgical revision.
Conclusion: The cross-lip Abbe flap is a recognized method of lip reconstruction for secondary cleft lip repair. In skilled hands it provides improved lip contour and overall cosmesis with a low incidence of major complications and need for revision.
