ABBÉ FLAP
ABBÉ FLAP
The Abbé flap (or lip-switch flap) is an axial patterned flap based on either the superior or inferior labial artery.19,20 It is used to repair large, full-thickness defects involving 1/3 to 1/2 of the upper or lower lip, and involves the transfer of skin, muscle, and mucosa. It has also been used in cleft lip repair.20 This repair should not be used for defects involving the oral commissure. Both the inferior and superior labial arteries originate from the facial artery near the oral commissure, and anastomose with the opposite side to encircle the lip. They are typically found between the oral mucosa and orbicularis oris muscle, though they can be found within the orbicularis muscle in a small number of cases. While the labial arteries are never located superficial to the muscle, their depth varies, and they are found closer to the free margin of the lip at the midline relative to the oral commissure.