 |
Case Report
Lip cancer in the elderly: Function and aesthetics as equivalent principles in oncological reconstruction
1 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital da Luz Setúbal, Setúbal, Portugal
Address correspondence to:
Sara Silva
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital da Luz Setúbal, Setúbal,
Message to Corresponding Author
Article ID: 101487Z01SS2024
Access full text article on other devices
Access PDF of article on other devices
How to cite this article
Silva S, Vieira M. Lip cancer in the elderly: Function and aesthetics as equivalent principles in oncological reconstruction. Int J Case Rep Images 2024;15(2):138–140.ABSTRACT
Introduction: The lips are a vital component of symmetry and aesthetics of the face. Elderly with sun-damaged skin is prone to develop lip cancer. Surgery always gave priority to oncological cure and only after seek aesthetic and functional correction, but nowadays a good outcome must guarantee both.
Case Report: We report a case of a 90-year-old female referred for treatment of a squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip. Our technique combined W-plasty with Abbé flap and provided a functional reconstruction. The patient resumed her normal life, with comfort and security since the cancer stigma was washed off.
Conclusion: Lip reconstruction is challenging, complex techniques, like microsurgery, have fewer aesthetic concerns, with more morbidity to elderly patients. To restore the beauty in oncological treatment, especially for elderly patients with lip cancer, we must revisit old surgical techniques, which are simpler, less traumatic, and prioritize both functionality and aesthetics.
Keywords: Aesthetics, Elderly, Functional, Lip cancer
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Author Contributions
Sara Silva - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Manuel Vieira - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guarantor of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2024 Sara Silva et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
