Lip Laceration

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Background

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Evaluation

Management

  • Antibiotics not required
  • Vermillion border and philtrum architecture must be maintained for cosmesis
  • Infiltration of local anesthetic can distort soft tissue

Intraoral mucosal laceration (isolated)

  • Only need to close if >1cm
  • Use absorbable 5-0 suture
  • Avoid catching underlying muscle during suturing

Through-and-through laceration

Close in layers:

  1. Close mucosal layer with absorbable 5-0 suture
  2. Irrigate from outside
  3. Close orbicularis oris muscle with 4-0 or 5-0 absorbable suture
  4. Close skin with 6-0 nonabsorbable suture

Vermilion border laceration

  • Place 1st stitch with 6-0 nonabsorbable suture to align edges of vermilion border
  • Then repair rest of lip in usual manner

Disposition

  • Usually outpatient

See Also

External Links

References

  • Rosens Chapter 42 - Facial Trauma