Clinical effect of upper lip aesthetic unit filled with autogenous dermis
10.3760/cma.j.cn114453-20250127-00025
- VernacularTitle:自体真皮填充上唇美学单元的临床效果
- Author:
Xinxin LI
1
;
Yufeng LIU
1
;
Ning LIU
1
;
Liang HU
1
Author Information
1. 南京中医药大学附属南京医院（南京市第二医院）整形外科，南京 210003
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Dermis;
Transplantation, autologous;
Lip augmentation;
Upper lip aesthetic unit;
Vermilion;
Philtrum ridge
- From:
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery
2025;41(10):1055-1060
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the clinical effect of upper lip aesthetic unit filled with autogenous dermis.Methods:The clinical data of patients with poor upper lip morphology admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery of the Second Hospital of Nanjing from January 2022 to July 2024 were analyzed retrospectively. A longitudinal fusiform incision was made approximately 5.0 cm long in the sacrococcygeal region; the required dermal tissue was excised; and the dermis was trimmed and shaped according to the filling location. For thickening the vermilion border, the dermis was trimmed into a fusiform shape. For filling the philtral columns, the dermis was trimmed into a flat strip shape. A longitudinal incision (approximately 0.5 cm) was made in the center of vermilion. Then the tissue was separated in the layer between the orbicularis oris muscle and the mucosa to the direction of oral commissure (filling the vermilion) or separated to the philtrum ridge (filling the philtrum ridge), forming a tunnel and filling the dermal tissue in the tunnel. For subtle vermilion tubercle, the dermis could be overlapped and filled in an appropriate location in vermilion tubercle. The incision healing and complications were observed, and the morphology of upper lip and philtrum ridge was followed up to investigate whether the patients were satisfied with the surgical outcomes.Results:A total of 11 patients, all female, aged 19-57 years (mean, 38.1 years) were included. In 7 patients, the upper lip was filled with dermal tissue, the upper lip and the philtrum ridge were filled in 3 cases, and the upper lip lifting was performed in 1 case with philtrum ridge. Except for one case where the vermilion tubercle was not prominent and a two-layer dermal overlay was used to fill the vermilion tubercle, all other cases received single-layer dermis filling. The patients were followed up for 6 to 17 months. The lip swelling occurred in the early postoperative period, which could be improved after 2 weeks. The incisions were healed primarily, and no complications such as hematoma and infection occurred. The appearance of the upper lip was smooth, natural and soft. The fullness of the upper lip, the protuberance of the upper lip, the stereopsis of the vermilion tubercle and the philtrum ridge were significantly improved. No dermal contracture, cyst or other long-term complications occurred. All patients were satisfied with the appearance of upper lip.Conclusion:The use of autologous dermis to fill the upper lip aesthetic unit can effectively improve the upper lip apperance, with stable long-term results, fewer complications and high patient satisfaction.
