CHAPTER XI
CHEILOPLASTY
(Surgery of the Lips)
Fig. 145.
Burchardt Compression Forceps.
This branch of plastic surgery has to do with the correction of deformities of the lips. These deformities usually involve one lip only, and are dependent upon direct traumatism, operative interference in the extirpation of malignant growths, particularly carcinomata, the correction of cicatricial disfigurement following tubercular or syphilitic ulceration or congenital faults, commonly met with in harelip.
Operations for the latter condition have usually been considered under a separate heading, but since the restorative procedures involve methods purely plastic they are included under this their proper classification.
Owing to the great number of blood vessels in the lips, it is advisable to resort to the bloodless method, where the defect to be corrected involves more than the superficial structure. This is accomplished:
1. By compressing the coronary arteries at both angles of the mouth by digital pressure, suitable clamps or compression forceps. The fenestrated oval forceps, illustrated in [Fig. 145], and designed by Burchardt, or the harelip clamp of Beinl, [Fig. 146], will be found to meet the purpose well, the latter having a sliding lock by which the pressure upon the tissue can be regulated to a nicety.
Fig. 146.—Beinl Harelip Clamp.