Force transmission capacity of the lower limb during walking of amputees with bone-anchored prostheses compared with socket prostheses and persons with hip replacements.

BACKGROUND: Restoring the ability to walk with a prosthesis is considered a fundamental rehabilitation goal after transfemoral amputation. An essential prerequisite for achieving this goal is adequate force transmission between the prosthesis and the body. Does bone anchorage of an artificial limb permit a more normal force transmission? METHODS: Data of 15 healthy subjects, nine amputees fitted with bone-anchored prostheses, nine amputees using socket prostheses, and 18 patients with a total hip replacement were included in this multicenter, observational study. Ground reaction force was measured using Kistler force plates. Kinematics was recorded with 12 Vicon Bonita cameras. Subjects were instructed to walk at three different speeds: first at their self-selected, then at slow, and finally at fast speed. FINDINGS: Self-selected walking speeds of subject groups were significantly different, osseointegrated amputees walked the slowest. The lowest ground reaction force was measured for osseointegrated amputees on the prosthetic side, who also showed the highest force on their contralateral side. Patients with hip replacements showed values similar as healthy subjects. The vertical center of gravity movement was specific for each subject group. INTERPRETATION: The force transmission capacity of the bone-anchored prosthetic leg is limited during walking and is lower than both in socket prostheses users without symptoms and patients with total hip replacement. Therefore, active amputees well fitted with a socket prosthesis who consider a transition to bone-anchorage should be advised that their walking speed may decrease with high probability, and that their self-selected walking speed may even be slower than 3 km/h.

Comparison of conventional socket attachment and bone-anchored prosthesis for persons living with transfemoral amputation - mobility and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: For patients with transfemoral amputation experiencing issues with their sockets, bone-anchored prosthesis systems are an alternative and sometimes the only way to be mobile and independent. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the gait performance and quality of life of a group of patients treated with bone-anchored systems compared to those of participants treated with a conventional socket-suspended prosthesis. METHODS: A total of 17 participants with a socket-suspended and 20 with a bone-anchored prosthesis were included. Gait patterns were examined for symmetry, and performance was assessed using the six-minute walk test and the timed "Up & Go" test. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to detect signs of osteoarthritis in both hips. Mobility in everyday life and quality of life were assessed using questionnaires. FINDINGS: There were no differences between the groups regarding the quality of life, daily mobility, and gait performance. The step width was significantly higher for the patients using socket-suspended prosthesis. The socket-suspended group showed a significant asymmetry regarding the step length. In the socket-suspended group, the prosthetic leg showed significantly higher cartilage abrasion than the contralateral leg did. INTERPRETATION: Large differences in the measured outcomes in both groups illustrate the very different capabilities of the individual participants, which is apparently not primarily determined by the type of treatment. For patients who are satisfied with the socket treatment and perform well, bone-anchored prosthesis systems may not necessarily improve their functional capabilities and perceived quality of life.

Osseoperception in transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic systems (TOPS) after transfemoral amputation: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Endo-exo prosthetics (EEP), which belongs to the transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic systems (TOPS), provides an alternative bone-anchored rehabilitation method for transfemoral amputees. It led to the question of whether transmitted forces from prosthetic feet are perceptible by osseoperception resulting in proprioceptive feedback of ground conditions. OBJECTIVES: The following hypotheses emerged for our trial with the null hypothesis: EEP fitting after transfemoral amputation does not influence osseoperception. Alternative hypothesis 1: EEP patients achieve better osseoperception results than transfemoral amputees fitted with socket prosthesis. Alternative hypothesis 2: EEP carriers achieve comparable results with regards to their osseoperception as non-amputees. METHODS: N = 25 patients with EEP (mean age = 50,6 ± 9,4, male/female = 15/10) N = 25 patients with socket prostheses (mean age = 52,6 ± 13,1, male/female = 19/6) and N = 25 healthy volunteers were included in the experimental case-control study. In three blinded test modules (V1, V2, V3), the participants had to identify different degrees of shore hardness (c) of different materials (rubber balls (shore = 5-25c), foam cushions (shore = 5-30c), foam mats (shore = 5-30c) with their prosthetic foot (or a personally defined foot in healthy volunteers) without footwear and had to rank them into the correct order according to their tactile sensation and the degree of hardness. A maximum of 10 points could be scored per run. RESULTS: This experimental observational study included N = 75 participants. The mean age for the entire cohort was 42.8 ± 16.6 years and the BMI was 26.0 ± 4.8. Our results show a significant level of differences in tactile osseoperception between all groups (p < 0.001). A correlation between the mean values of V1-3 and the PMQ2.0 as well as the mean values of K-Level and the prosthesis wearing time per day showed for PMQ (r = 0.387, p = 0.006) and K-level (r = 0.448, p = 0.001) which is a moderate effect according to Cohen. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that the EEP treatment can lead to an improvement in tactile sensory perception via the bone-anchored implant, which can lead to an increase in quality of life and improved gait safety.

Twenty-four months of bacterial colonialization and infection rates in patients with transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic systems after lower limb amputation-A prospective analysis.

Background: Transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis systems (TOPS) are alternative rehabilitation methods to socket prosthetics, after limb amputation. TOPS compromise a two-step surgery: starting with the implantation of the stem which is then followed by the creation of the transcutaneous stoma through which the exoprosthesis can be connected. Immediately after surgery, this opening is permanently exposed to pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of bacterial colonization of the stoma to analyze whether obligate bacterial colonization leads to a risk of periprosthetic infections after TOPS treatment. Methods: This prospective study analyzed data from 66 patients (aged 26-75 years) after TOPS treatment between 2017 and 2019. Microbiological swabs from the stoma were analyzed on the first postoperative day and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after stoma creation. Infection rates, laboratory values (CRP, leukocyte count, hemoglobin), and body temperature were recorded at these points in time. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 28. Results: The results show the formation of a stable environment dominated by Gram-positive bacteria in the stoma of TOPS patients over 24 months. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. were the most common species found. With regard to the cohort up to the 3 months follow-up, 7.9% (five patients) developed infections surrounding the TOPS procedure. In relation to the whole cohort with loss to follow-up of 80.3% at the 24 months follow-up the infection rates increased up to 38.3%. Conclusion: The soft tissue inside and around the transcutaneous stoma is colonialized by multiple taxa and changes over time. A stable Gram-positive dominated bacterial taxa could be a protective factor for ascending periprosthetic infections and could possibly explain the relatively low infection rate in this study as well as in literature.

Elective transfemoral amputation and simultaneous implantation of a transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis stem as salvage treatment after knee joint arthrodesis with poor function: A case report.

Background: Surgical reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures is a well-established procedure, and although it is for the vast majority of patients without severe complications, total knee joint arthroplasty, arthrodesis of the knee, and finally transfemoral amputation have to be considered in the worst-case scenario. The case: We report a case of a patient with a 13-year history of recurrent failure after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. She claimed she had severely impaired mobility secondary to a knee joint arthrodesis via an Ilizarov circular frame 2 years ago and chronic immobilizing pain, making a permanent medication with opioids necessary. She was aware of the therapeutic options and asked for transfemoral amputation and concomitant supply with a transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis system (TOPS). Procedures: After careful evaluation and clinical work-up, the indication for transfemoral amputation and concomitant implantation of the prosthetic stem into the femoral cavity was secured. Six weeks after the creation of the stoma for coupling of the artificial limb and onset of physiotherapy, balance and gait training were scheduled. Full weight-bearing and walking without crutches were allowed 12 weeks after the index procedure. This sequence of events was paralleled by a series of pre-defined examinations, that is, questionnaires and mobility scores addressing the situation of transfemoral amputees, as well as standardized clinical gait analysis. The latter was performed before surgery and 6, 9, and 18 months after the index procedure. Outcome: At the time of the index procedure, opioids could be tapered to zero, and the patient quickly regained her walking abilities during the rehabilitation period. Clinical gait analysis confirmed the restoration of bilateral symmetry by mutual approximation of kinematics and kinetics to a standard gait pattern. Conclusion: The outcome of our patient strengthens the therapeutic potential of a unilateral transfemoral amputation in combination with TOPS. Nevertheless, long-term follow-up is necessary to detect future complications of this approach.

Comparison of functional outcome and patient satisfaction between patients with socket prosthesis and patients treated with transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic systems (TOPS) after transfemoral amputation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate and evaluate differences in functional outcome and satisfaction of patients treated with a TOPS and patients using socket prosthesis after transfemoral amputation. METHODS: This retrospective comprehensive analysis included patients from a single hospital, and was conducted between February 2017 and December 2018. Overall n = 139 patients with prosthesis were included and divided into two comparable groups (socket- and TOPS group). Incomplete data sets were excluded. This led to n = 36 participants for the socket- and n = 33 for the TOPS group. Functional outcome and satisfaction were evaluated by Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). The used PROMs were: Questionnaire for Persons with a Transfemoral Amputation (Q-TFA), EQ5D-5L, Satisfaction with Prosthesis Questionnaire (SAT-PRO), Prosthesis Mobility Questionnaire (PMQ 2.0) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). RESULTS: Significant results in favor of TOPS patients were identified for the EQ-5D 5L (p = 0.004), Q-TFA (p = 0.000), SAT-PRO (p = 0.000) and PMQ 2.0 (p = 0.000). For FIM, no statistical significance was found (p = 0.318). CONCLUSION: In this study, transfemoral amputees treated with an osseointegrated prosthetic attachment (TOPS) showed significantly higher scores for mobility and satisfaction. This demonstrates the high potential of TOPS in the prosthetic treatment of patients with transfemoral amputation with regard to their functional abilities in daily life.

Management, outcome, and novel classification system of periprosthetic fractures in patients with transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic systems (TOPS)-a retrospective cohort analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic systems (TOPS) are anchored prosthetic systems for major limb loss. Sometimes TOPS patients suffer from periprosthetic fractures. The aim of this study was to analyze the management and outcomes of periprosthetic fractures in patients with TOPS and to introduce a novel classification system for this entity. MATERIAL/METHODS: Since 2010, 140 patients were treated with TOPS after transfemoral amputation in two centers in Germany. Fifteen patients sustained periprosthetic fractures, with five intra- and ten postoperative fractures. The outcome was analyzed by Prosthesis Mobility Questionnaire (PMQ), K-level and prosthesis wear time per day. A subgroup analysis for the body mass index (BMI) was performed. RESULTS: All postoperative fractures were treated with implant-retaining osteosynthesis. Fourteen fractures healed without complications after a mean of 3 months. One postoperative fracture developed a clinically asymptomatic firm non-union. No Endo-Fixstem had to be removed. For the fracture and control group, a significant increase of the PMQ (p < 0.001) and K-level (p < 0.001) was observed after TOPS treatment compared to the preoperative baseline. Furthermore, the subgroup analysis showed a significant increase of the PMQ and K-level for both normal weight (p = 0.002) and overweight patients (p < 0.001). Of interest, overweight patients even showed a significantly higher increase in scores compared to normal weight patients, regardless of periprosthetic fracture. CONCLUSION: Periprosthetic fractures do not necessarily worsen outcomes of TOPS treatment. Proper classification and standardized appropriate treatment strategies according to fracture morphology are paramount for reliably good outcomes. We recommend to not remove or exchange the implant (Endo-Fixstem) even if it is assembly. Higher BMI did not have an impact onto rehabilitation success after TOPS to major limb loss of the lower extremity.

Quality of life of persons with transfemoral amputation: Comparison of socket prostheses and osseointegrated prostheses.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, no study had compared the quality of life of persons with transfemoral amputation treated with osseointegration to socket prosthesis users. OBJECTIVES: Comparison of quality of life in two types of prostheses users: a cohort of patients with osseointegration and patients equipped with a socket prosthesis who were group-matched for age, body mass index and mobility grade. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study that compared METHODS:: The quality of life of 39 participants (22 in the osseointegration group and 17 in the socket prosthesis group) was measured using the Questionnaire for Persons with Transfemoral Amputation (Q-TFA) and European Questionnaire 5-dimension 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) surveys. RESULTS: Compared with the socket prosthesis group, the osseointegration group had a significantly higher 'Global' score (p = 0.022) and a significantly lower 'Problem' score (p < 0.001) of the Q-TFA. The 'Mobility' (p = 0.051) and 'Use' scores (p = 0.146) of the Q-TFA, the EQ-5D-3L index (p = 0.723), and EQ-5D visual analog scale (p = 0.497) showed no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with osseointegration experienced less prosthesis-associated problems than socket prosthesis users and had a higher prosthesis-associated quality of life when assessed with the Q-TFA. General quality of life, as assessed with the EQ-5D-3L, was not different between groups.

Preoperative femoral abduction angle correlates with initial postoperative lateral hip pain after transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic system (TOPS) in transfemoral amputees.

PURPOSE: To analyse whether a preoperative femoral abduction angle (FAA) correlates with postoperative initial lateral hip pain (LHP) in above-knee amputees (AKA) treated with transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic system (TOPS). METHODS: Pre- and postoperative long-leg radiographs of eighteen unilateral AKA (mean age 51.55y ± 12.16) were retrospectively measured. FAA was measured on both sides. Pain intensity of LHP was measured by numeric rating scale (NRS) preoperatively and every week for four weeks from the first day of weight loading. Pearson's r was calculated for correlation. Furthermore, odds ratio for LHP ≥ 5/10 NRS and relative FAA > 13° was calculated. RESULTS: FAA significantly decreased in the postoperative period (pre/post. 15.33° ± 4.22; p < 0.001). Median LHP was 0/10 NRS (min.0, max.3) preoperatively and 4/10 NRS (min.2, max. 7, p < 0.001) postoperatively after first loading. Interestingly, it decreased within four weeks to a median of 0.5/10 NRS (min.0, max. 3) without intervention. A strong correlation was seen on the amputated side between preoperative FAA and LHP after loading (r = 0.835, p < 0.001), as well as the relative FAA to LHP after loading (r = 0.732, p < 0.001) and between the gap of pre- to postoperative FAA and LHP. Odds ratio for LHP ≥ 5/10 and relative FAA > 13° was 6.4 (95%CI = 0.55; 74.89). CONCLUSION: The preoperative FAA strongly correlates with postoperative LHP. Surgeons should be aware of high risk of LHP that can limit prosthetic training. High preoperative FAAs should be realised in the decision meeting of TOPS implantation and pre-rehabilitative reduction of the FAA should be taken into consideration.

[Transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic systems after major amputation of the lower extremity : A retrospective 3-year analysis]. / Transkutane osseointegrierte Prothesensysteme (TOPS) nach Majoramputation der unteren Extremität : Eine retrospektive 3-Jahres-Analyse.

INTRODUCTION: Transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic systems (TOPS) are an established optional procedure for the prosthetic treatment of amputations. Under the term endo-exo-prosthesis (EEP), the endosteal adapted exo-prosthesis (Dr. Grundei®) is currently used as the only standard prosthesis for clinical application in Germany. The prosthetic treatment with EEP involves a two-stage surgical procedure. In a first surgical step, the endo-fixed stem is implanted into the bone; in a second operation, approx. 2-6 weeks later, the skin/soft tissue stoma is created, through which the exoprosthetic components can be coupled transcutaneously. AIM: The aim of this manuscript was to retrospectively collect descriptive 3­year statistics (2017-2019) from clinical follow-ups and to analyze them with regard to possible effects of TOPS on the mobility level measured by k­levels. In addition, a brief description of the current standard of care in Germany regarding TOPS will be given. METHODS: All patients who underwent EEP after major amputation from February 2017 to December 2019 (n = 72, with 76 implants) were included in this study. The data of the EEP patients were collected in standardized follow-ups. K­levels were compared preoperatively to 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of N = 72 patients (N = 76 implantations) was analyzed in the described period. The main cause of amputations was trauma (68.9%). Main complications were myofascial complaints. Implant loosening and deep infections were observed in two cases (2.7%) during this period. Stoma problems occurred with a 3-year average of 25.7%. In terms of K­levels, there was a high significant increase from preoperative 1.8 ± 0.8 to 3.0 ± 0.4 after a 6-month period. CONCLUSION: TOPS is an established optional procedure for the treatment of limb loss. In Germany, only one implant is currently regularly implanted (endo-exo prosthesis), and the restoration is currently focused on the lower limb. The restoration of patients with major amputation of the lower extremity by means of TOPS can lead to an increase in mobility and, thus, to an increase in daily activities and participation in daily living.

[Transcutaneous Osseointegrated Prosthetic Systems (TOPS) for Transfemoral Amputees - A Six-Year Retrospective Analysis of the Latest Prosthetic Design in Germany]. / Transkutane osseointegrierte Prothesensysteme (TOPS) zur Versorgung Oberschenkelamputierter.

PURPOSE: A retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes and complication rates of patients treated with the latest implant design of the so-called Endo-Exo-Femoral Prosthesis (EEFP) was performed. The aim is to gain specific information on long-term complications of this treatment-method. METHODS: In January 2019, data of all transfemoral amputees who were treated with TOPS at an acute clinic in Schleswig-Holstein from 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively analysed. This was done with special consideration of postoperative complications. For this purpose, all examination findings from routine clinical follow-up examinations were used. The complications were divided into stoma problems, orthopaedic-technical (OT) problems, fractures and explantations. All EEFPs had the same implant design (3rd generation). This implant is currently the only TOPS in Germany that is clinically used. Descriptive statistics as well as ratio information about occurred complications were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 68 implantations were performed during this period. Average observation time was 6.32 years (±2.16 years). The mean age of the patients was 51.84 years±12.12 years. Cause of amputation was mainly trauma (82,35%). Stoma-associated problems had the highest incidence (7%) among all observed patient-related complications and posed the greatest challenges during the rehabilitation process. Looking only at surgical complications, 81% had no complications at all. In total, 15% had technical problems, 6% had peri-prosthetic fractures, 7% had stoma problems and 3% had to be explanted due to infection. CONCLUSION: The analysis of collected data shows that TOPS (here the 3rd generation EEFP) can be a successful alternative treatment method to shaft prostheses after transfemoral amputation. The indication should only be given after the failure of a shaft-prosthesis and contraindications must be comprehensively excluded. The greatest challenges in the rehabilitation process are the avoidance of stoma complications, infections and OT-problems. The rehabilitation of amputees treated with TOPS therefore requires an interdisciplinary, specialized rehabilitation team and lifelong rehabilitative care.

Three-year follow-up of changes of cortical bone thickness after implantation of Endo-Exo-Prosthesis (EEP) for transfemoral amputees.

INTRODUCTION: Transcutaneous Osseointegrated Prosthetic Systems (TOPS) offer a good alternative for patients who cannot be satisfactorily rehabilitated by conventional suspension sockets. The Endo-Exo-Prothesis (EEP, ESKA Orthopaedic Handels GmbH®, Deutschland) is the most implanted TOPS in Germany. Previous studies have shown that cortical thickness increases after implantation of TOPS. The aim of this study is to determine changes of cortical thickness in relation to the time after implantation of the Endo-Fix-Stem. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All transfemoral amputees treated by EEP from 2007 to 2013 were operated by the last author of this study. X-ray images of 4 follow-up intervals (postoperative, 3 months, 12 months, 3 years) were analyzed retrospectively. The femoral residuum was divided into 3 sections (proximal, middle, distal) with 2 measuring points in each section: medial and lateral. Cortical thickness was measured at these 6 points and compared at regular intervals using the Friedman test for non-parametric dependent variables. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients with 40 implants were included. The average age was 52.2 years (30-79 years). 83.7% of the patients were male. No statistical significance could be shown for any of the measuring points of the femoral residual (proximal medial, proximal lateral, middle medial, middle lateral, distal medial, distal lateral) among the mean values of the cortical thickness at the different follow-up times (p > 0.05 for all measuring points). Cortical remodeling processes (> 1 millimeter (mm)) occurred in all implants despite a missing statistical significance. Hypertrophy could be confirmed for 42.5% and atrophy for 37.5%. Twenty percent of the cases showed a parallel occurrence of both entities. Cortical changes greater than 5 mm were only observed at the distal end of the femur. CONCLUSION: Even if our results did not show any significant difference, it can be deduced that the osseointegration process leads to a remodeling of the bone structure, both in terms of increased bone formation and bone resorption. However, it has not yet been conclusively clarified which processes lead to hyper- or atrophy. The force transmission between prosthesis and bone and the facultative bacterial colonization of the stoma are still the main factors which may be responsible for the bone remodeling processes.

Perioperative mortality secondary to a pulmonary embolism during a surgical implantation of the Endo-Exo-Prosthesis: a case report.

We report on a 53-year-old female patient who suffered a perioperative death secondary to a pulmonary embolism (PE) during an implantation of Endo-Exo-Prosthesis. This is a retrospective review of medical case for a patient who had a previous above-the-knee amputation secondary to a failed previous arthroplasty surgery. Our planned surgery was a stage 1 implantation of an Endo-Exo-Prosthesis, and it was performed under general anaesthesia. After 25 min from starting the surgical procedure, the patient sustained a cardiac arrest, and despite an active cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 50 min, the patient did not recover, the ventilator machine was stopped later on, and the patient was declared deceased at that stage. Fatal intraoperative PE is a rare but significant complication during orthopaedic procedures. There are few reports of similar events but include mainly trauma patients with fractured neck of femur. Endo-Exo-Prosthesis is a relatively newly evolved procedure in a unique group of patients. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of such complication during Endo-Exo-Prosthesis implantation. Patient and surgeon should be aware of it, and additional preventive measures like preoperative scoring systems and in special cases using inferior vena cava filter should be considered in patients with high risk of developing venous thromboembolism.

[Transcutaneous osseointegration after limb amputation : A review over 27 years]. / Transkutane Osseointegration nach Gliedmaßenamputation : Ein Überblick über 27 Jahre.

Intramedullary, bone-anchored (osseointegrated), transcutaneous docking of artificial limbs has been in clinical use for more than 25 years. This system of prosthetic limb attachment is a valuable treatment option in the rehabilitation of patients after limb amputation. Only a few centers are systematically investigating this topic worldwide so that current knowledge on this special treatment option is still limited; however, mainstream medical opinion still regards percutaneous skeletal prosthetic docking with some skepticism. Concerns remain about possible ascending infections along the skin perforating device and this has indeed been a limiting factor in the widespread implementation of this technology and has also been rejected by many orthopedic surgeons. There are also reservations among institutions responsible for exoprosthetic treatment. Ultimately, the advantages and disadvantages of this treatment procedure must be explained in detail to the patients themselves in order to reduce fears and concerns and to be able to bring the overstretched expectations back to reality.

Unilateral cleft lip/nose repair using an equal bows /straight line advancement technique - A preliminary report and postoperative symmetry-based anthropometry.

In the evolution of cleft lip repair there has been continuous attempt to minimize local trauma, improve lip and nasal appearance and, especially, prevent conspicuous scars. The surgical technique presented meets these criteria, resulting in an appropriate scar course in children with a specific philtral ridge shape. Postoperative digital anthropometry was performed in 18 patients who underwent unilateral cleft lip repair using the equal bows/straight line advancement technique and in matched healthy control individuals. Symmetry values were assessed for lip length, philtral ridge length, vermilion height, width of the alar base, nasocanthal length, circumference of the nostrils, nostril width and height in both cleft and control groups. Evaluation revealed no significant differences in the symmetry values between cleft patients and control group (lip length: p = 0.71, philtral ridge length: p = 0.52, vermilion height: p = 0.23, alar base width: p = 0.69, nasocanthal length: p = 0.25, nostril circumference: p = 0.17, nostril width: p = 0.34, nostril height: p = 0.33). Principles of cleft lip repair can be achieved using the described technique which provides adequate lip length and natural nasal appearance in patients with a parallel-shaped philtral ridge.