VSR 421: Regional Veterinary Surgery (2+1)

TREATMENT

• The second procedure is a cheiloplasty procedure.
• Here the lower lip is separated from the chin so that the lip can heal in a more normal position.
• With the animal on its back the lower lip is pulled down to expose the lower incisor teeth . An incision is made along the mucogingival junction from the first premolar tooth on one side to the first premolar tooth on the other side.
• The subcutaneous tissue is stripped from the mandible using a periosteal elevator.
• The tightness of the lip determines the extent of dissection required. The lip should hang just ventral to the mucogingival junction.
• If it doesn't, additional length of lip should be dissected from the mandible. No sutures are placed.
• The owner is advised to  run their finger around the created pocket between the lip and mandible daily.
• This has to be done to prevent the healing tissues from pulling the lip back into normal position.
• The wound heals by secondary intention healing.