OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical experience for the reconstruction of upper lip defects in different degrees.

METHODSDifferent treatment methods were selected to reconstruct the upper lip defects according to the subunit, size or location of defects on the upper lip. The therapeutic results were analyzed and compared.

RESULTSFrom Jan. 1998 to Apr. 2012, 243 cases with upper lip defects were treated, including 85 cases of traumatic defects, 110 cases of defects secondary to lip cleft and 48 cases of defects after tumor resection. 48 cases were treated with direct closure, 69 cases with cross-lip flaps, 5 Cases with orbicularis oris muscle flaps, 53 cases with unilateral labial flaps, 42 cases with bilateral labial flaps, 22 cases with lower lip flaps, and 1 case with forehead flap, 1 case with forearm flap and 2 with nasolabial fold flaps. The patients were followed up for 3-18 months with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONSSatisfactory results could be achieved for upper lip defects with appropriate treatment methods according to the defects degree and characters.