Upper lip reconstruction is more difficult than lower lip reconstruction because the upper lip has a central structure, the philtrum. […] Wounds adjacent to the philtrum that are closed primarily may shift the philtrum to the affected side. However, with time, the philtrum will tend to return to its midline position.
2007, Loren J. Borud, Arin K. Greene, “Chapter 24: Lip Reconstruction”, in Josef E. Fischer, Kirby I. Bland, Mark P. Callery, editors, Mastery of Surgery, 5th edition, volume 1, page 301, column 3