DERMAL GRAFTING FOR A PATIENT WITH SCLERODERMA - CASE-REPORT

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disorder which includes fibrosis of the skin. Facial skin contraction leads to loss of forehead, periorbi tal, and nasolabial wrinkling and at the same time causes radial furro ws around the contracted oral opening (microstomia). The lips become r etracted. We describe a 41 year old lady whose upper lip was treated b y free dermal graft and injection of fat to improve her perioral aesth etic appearance. The skin was taken from the right submammary fold and the fat was obtained from the abdomen by liposuction. Excess fat was stored in a sterile container at -70 degrees C for future use. The pat ient made a satisfactory recovery and has asked for her lower lip to b e treated in the same way.