Single flap use for synchronous reconstruction of full-thickness upper and lower lip defects due to high-voltage electrical burn

Abstract

High-voltage electric burns are a major source of morbidity and mortality, with significant socioeconomic and psychosocial implications. Electric burns rarely cause injury to atypical areas including the oral region with a reported incidence of 2.2%–3.5%. The ratio of burn area to total lip is critical for reconstruction options. Locally usable flap choices will be insufficient for subtotal defects of lips. Electrical burn of both lips is a rarely seen entity that is surgically challenging for both lip reconstruction with the minimum morbidity. It is known that a radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is suitable for total lip reconstruction and in addition, is one of the best options for simultaneous upper and lower lip reconstruction using only one RFFF. In this study, a case with both lower and upper lib necrosis, a rarely affected area due to high-voltage electrical burn, is presented. Reconstruction with a free radial forearm flap was successfully performed although the patient was presented in the subacute period as timing.