LONG-TERM RESULTS AFTER SURGICAL REDUCTION CHEILOPLASTY IN PATIENTS WITH MELKERSSON-ROSENTHAL SYNDROME AND CHEILITIS GRANULOMATOSA

Cheilitis granulomatosa in patients with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome has proven difficult to treat, and various forms of symptomatic treat ment of orofacial swellings have been used with varying success. To eu aluate long-term results after surgical reduction cheiloplasty in pati ents suffering from persistent lip swellings, a follow-up study was pe rformed on 13 patients after 16 years (median). The operations were pe rformed after unsuccessful conservative treatment and regardless of di sease activity. Pre- and postoperative medical histories were updated and a clinical examination evaluated the following criteria for a good result: symmetry of the lip, a normalized anterior projection, dimens ional harmony between upper and lower lip, no disfiguring cicatrices, and no sensory disturbances. In spite of postoperative disease activit y in 6 patients, atl 13 patients were satisfied with the long-term res ult. Clinically, the results in 12 patients were considered good. We t herefore recommend lip resection es described when a stationary swelli ng becomes associated with permanent aesthetic deformity or functional disturbances and conservative measures are unsuccessful.