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Case Report

Functional Outcome of Abbe–Estlander Flap in Lower Lip Carcinoma with Commissural Extension: A Case Report

Tejaswi Gupta, Sanjeev Yadav, Arti Agarwal, Virendra Kumar

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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Journal of ENT and Allied Sciences 10(2):p 51-54, July - Dec. 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/rjeas.2456.5024.10225.2

How Cite This Article:

Tejaswi Gupta, Sanjeev Yadav, Arti Agarwal et. al, Functional Outcome of Abbe–Estlander Flap in Lower Lip Carcinoma with Commissural Extension: A Case Report. RFP J ENT Allied Sci 2025;. 10(2): 51–54.

Timeline

Received : September 30, 2025         Accepted : November 15, 2025          Published : December 25, 2025

Abstract

Background: Reconstruction of lip defects following oncologic resection is a demanding task, as both functional and aesthetic outcomes must be preserved. When the oral commissure is involved, regional flaps such as the Abbe–Estlander remain important tools in achieving reliable reconstruction. Case Presentation: A 35-year-old male laborer with a history of smoking presented with a progressively enlarging lower lip lesion of seven months’ duration. Biopsy confirmed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma extending to the oral commissure. The patient underwent wide local excision with a 1-cm margin and supra-omohyoid neck dissection, followed by commissural reconstruction using an Abbe–Estlander flap. The immediate post-operative course was uneventful. At two weeks, mild microstomia was noted, though oral continence and speech were preserved. Final histopathology confirmed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with tumor-free margins. On follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months, the patient maintained satisfactory function and cosmesis. Conclusion: The Abbe–Estlander flap remains a dependable reconstructive method for lip carcinoma involving the commissure. It offers oncological safety while restoring oral competence, articulation, and symmetry with minimal morbidity. Despite advances in microsurgical techniques, this flap continues to be an effective and practical option, particularly for medium-sized commissural defects.

References

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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All author contributed to this study. Manuscript was written by TG & AA. patient work up was done by VK. Proof reading of manuscript was done by TG, SY.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest in this work.

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Cite this article

Tejaswi Gupta, Sanjeev Yadav, Arti Agarwal et. al, Functional Outcome of Abbe–Estlander Flap in Lower Lip Carcinoma with Commissural Extension: A Case Report. RFP J ENT Allied Sci 2025;. 10(2): 51–54.

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
September 30, 2025 November 15, 2025 December 25, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/rjeas.2456.5024.10225.2

Keywords

Abbe–Estlander FlapLip ReconstructionOral CommissureSquamous Cell CarcinomaHead and Neck Reconstruction

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Timeline

Received September 30, 2025
Accepted November 15, 2025
Published December 25, 2025

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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