Dental prosthetic treatment in a patient with microstomia following Karapandzic flap for lower lip defect reconstruction

Abstract

The Karapandzic flap is a surgical lip reconstruction method used to treat large defects of the lips. Lip reconstruction with the Karapandzic flap often allows the patient to use their dentures postoperatively. However, there are some cases in which the use of dentures may be difficult because of microstomia, which occurs when a large amount of lip has been removed. The fabrication of complete dentures for patients with microstomia is difficult because of the inability to insert impression trays into the mouth. We document a case in which complete dentures had to be remade due to microstomia resulting from a lower lip reconstruction using a Karapandzic flap. Surgical treatment with commissuroplasty was planned as a second choice in case the dental prosthetic treatment was not successful. The success of the prosthetic approach markedly improved the patient's quality of life. Surgeons should fully consider a prosthetic approach before embarking on surgery for microstomia.