Skin Cancer · Reconstruction by site

Lip Reconstruction

The lip is working tissue: it seals, speaks, eats and expresses. SCC favours the lower lip, and repairing it is an exercise in restoring function first — with an aesthetic standard measured in fractions of a millimetre.

The challenge

Function first, then the white line

Two things make lip reconstruction exacting. First, oral competence — the repaired lip must seal for eating, drinking and speech. Second, the vermilion border: the crisp line between lip and skin is one of the most scrutinised landmarks on the human face, and a step of even half a millimetre is visible across a room. Every repair Dr Kim performs is planned around both.

Techniques

Matched to the defect

Wedge excision and repair — up to roughly a third of the lip can be removed and closed directly in careful layers, with excellent function
Vermilion reconstruction — resurfacing the red lip using advancement of the remaining vermilion or mucosa
Local flaps — for larger defects, recruiting neighbouring tissue while preserving muscle function and sensation

Lip SCC also warrants careful lymph node assessment, which is part of Dr Kim's routine examination and follow-up.

Recovery

Eating, speaking, healing

A soft diet for the first one to two weeks protects the repair; speech is usually functional immediately and normalises as swelling settles. Sutures at the vermilion border are placed and removed with particular care, and scars are followed to maturity.

Common questions

Lip reconstruction questions

Will I be able to eat and speak normally?

Yes — preserving oral competence is the first goal of lip reconstruction. A soft diet is recommended initially, and function typically normalises as swelling settles.

Will the repair be visible?

The vermilion border is realigned with sub-millimetre precision, and scars are placed within natural lip lines wherever possible. Most mature to be inconspicuous in conversation.

Why does lip SCC need extra attention?

SCC of the lip has a higher tendency to spread to lymph nodes than SCC elsewhere, so complete excision and node assessment are standard parts of care.

Is the surgery done under general anaesthetic?

Lip reconstruction is generally performed under general anaesthesia; sedation or, in selected cases, local anaesthetic alone may be appropriate. Dr Kim advises based on your repair.

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Next step

Enquiries & referrals

Consultations in Sydney CBD and North Sydney. Referrals from GPs, dermatologists and Mohs surgery specialists welcome. Phone 1300 911 151.

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