Requirement of the Preservation of Mental Nerve During the Transfer of Depressor Anguli Oris Composite Flap

摘要

Reconstruction of wide lower lip defects is still a challenging subject in terms of obtaining functional and aesthetically acceptable results. Lower lip reconstruction with depressor anguli oris muscle was first described by Tobin in 1983. Since the sensory innervation of this composite muscle flap is provided by the mental nerve, it has been advocated that the mental nerve should be preserve during flap elevation. However, no further study has been conducted about this subject since then.