Karapandzic Flap for Functional & Cosmetic Reconstruction of Lower Lip Cancer with Review of Literature

The incidence and prevalence of lip and oral cavity cancer has increased over the last decade, worldwide and in India. It ranks at 1st position in males in india, all ages, in 2020. Lips are essential organ of the body which carries dynamic role in facial expression, speech, sensuality, deglutition. Resection of central, large, lower lip cancer creates a more than 2/3rd large defect. Covering of this defect with maintenance of oral competency is a difficult task for a treating surgeon. Number of techniques are described for covering of large lower lip defects. Out of these techniques, karapandzic flap is a successful, accepted, simple, easy to learn reconstructive procedure with good cosmetic results. It is a modification of Gillie’s fan flap and it involves unilateral or bilateral full-thickness circumoral advancement-rotation flaps. The feature which distinguishes it from other techniques is preservation of neuro-vascular integrity, symmetry and oral competency. We are reporting a case of an elderly gentleman with large, central, lower lip cancer who underwent oncological resection with reconstruction by karapandzic flap technique.