The Effect of Extended SMAS Face-lift on Earlobe Ptosis and Pseudoptosis

In this study, we explore the changes in the earlobe segments following an extended superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) face-lift and neck lift. We proposed to delineate the effect of the cheek and neck skin tension vectors on the earlobe based on the amount of excised skin length. A retrospective study identified patients who underwent extended SMAS rhytidectomy performed by the senior author (A.M.) at the Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Institute (CPSI) from 2017 to 2020. A total of 34 North American Caucasians, who had preoperative and postoperative photographs available for comparison, were evaluated. Preoperative and postoperative cephalic (the distance from the intertragal notch to the otobasion inferius, abbreviated as I to O) and caudal earlobe segment (the distance from the otobasion inferius to the subaurale, abbreviated as O to S) heights were collected. The change from the postoperative to preoperative measurements was calculated. The effects of the degree of cheek skin (superior ear [SE]) and neck skin (mastoid peak [MP]) excision lengths were then determined by comparing the change in I to O and O to S. The postoperative attached cephalic segment (15.94 ± 1.02 mm) increased significantly compared with the preoperative attached cephalic segment (12.99 ± 1.03 mm). The postoperative free caudal segment (3.62 ± 0.81 mm) decreased significantly compared with the preoperative free caudal segment (5.44 ± 0.95 mm). The SE median was found to be 3.0 cm and the MP median was found to be 3.5 cm. I to O increased by 3.85 mm for SE ≤3.0 cm compared with only 1.57 mm for SE >3.0 cm. O to S decreased by 2.79 mm for SE ≤3.0 cm compared with only decrease of 0.14 mm for SE >3.0 cm. I to O increased by only 1.67 mm for MP < 3.5 cm. O to S decreased less dramatically by 0.55 mm for MP ≤3.5 cm compared with decrease of 2.39 mm for MP >3.5 cm. These data demonstrate that more aggressive SE >3.0 cm cheek excision lengths resulted in a protective effect on decreasing the free caudal segment of the earlobe. More aggressive excisions of the cheek demonstrate a protective effect on preserving the free earlobe caudal segment, whereas more aggressive neck skin excisions result in higher propensity for loss of the free earlobe caudal segment. In our study, we demonstrate findings observed with clinical observations that a face-lift and neck lift will result in increase in the attached cephalic earlobe segment height (I to O) and a decrease in caudal free earlobe segment height (O to S). These findings may assist plastic surgeons when trying to fine-tune the earlobe aesthetics during face-lift and neck lift. If the patient has a small free hanging earlobe, the more aggressive pull on the cheek flap will result in less reduction in the earlobe hang.

Revision Facelift and Neck Lift

Facial rejuvenation procedures have become more commonly performed due to an increasing elderly population and greater general public acceptance. As a result, patients are now increasingly undergoing secondary and tertiary rhytidectomies to treat natural aging and/or to correct complications from prior procedures. Revision face and neck lifts are more complex by nature of the procedure and require a comprehensive preoperative assessment for enhanced outcomes. In this review, we discuss the preoperative evaluation, surgical challenges encountered, primary face and neck lift deformities, and their surgical management for patients undergoing secondary face and neck lifts.

Subcutaneous Face and Neck Lift: A Traditional Method With Definite Effects Among Asians

Background The mainstream face lifts in western countries always involve the SMAS treatment. Meanwhile, subcutaneous face and neck lift is wildly applied among Asians. Objectives To evaluate outcomes of subcutaneous face and neck lift, including patient-reported and 3D measurement outcomes, and report on details of surgical procedures. Methods Patients who received a subcutaneous face and neck lift from January 2017 to June 2019 were asked to complete FACE-Q scales, and facial information was collected by the Vectra 3D imaging system preoperatively and postoperatively. Volume changes in midface and possible displacement of facial landmarks were measured. The range of dissection and the amount of skin removed were recorded intraoperatively. Results In total, 119 patients (median age 46 years, interquartile range 40 - 53 years) received a subcutaneous face and neck lift. Among them, 88 patients completed pre- and postoperative FACE-Q scales. Patients’ satisfaction with facial subunits improved and wrinkles were significantly relieved (p＜0.001). Nineteen patients (38 midface sides) completed 3D image data collection. Postoperatively, zygomatic volume was increased, while nasolabial and lateral cheek volumes were decreased, with the volume change of 2.2 ± 1.3 mL. Mouth, nose, and eye displacements were negligible postoperatively. The widths of skin removed at the middle temporal, front of the sideburns, upper helix, earlobe, and retro-auricular were 13.8±1.9 mm, 19.6±3.1 mm, 27.6±3.9 mm, 16.4±3.9 mm, and 32.2±4.0 mm, respectively. Conclusions Our subcutaneous face and neck lift was effective in relieving nasolabial sagging, improving wrinkles, and achieving facial rejuvenation.

Facelift Part II: Surgical Techniques and Complications

Although previous publications have reviewed face and neck-lift anatomy and technique from different perspectives, seldom were the most-relevant anatomical details and widely practiced techniques comprehensively summarized in a single work. As a result, the beginner is left with a plethora of varied publications that require sorting, re-arrangement, and critical reading. A recent survey of US plastic surgery residents and program directors disclosed less facility with facelift surgery when compared to aesthetic surgery of the breast and trunk. To this end four of the widely practiced facelift techniques (ie, MACS-lift, lateral-SMASectomy, extended-SMAS, and composite rhytidectomy) are described in an easy review format. The highlights of each are formatted followed by a summary of complications. Finally, the merits and limitations of these individual techniques are thoroughly compared and discussed.

Optimizing Outcomes in Neck Lift Surgery

Background In certain patients there is an imbalance between the volume of the anterior neck and the mandibular confines that require reductional sculpting and repositioning of the hyoid to optimize neck lifting procedures. Objectives A quantitative volumetric analysis of impact of the management of supraplatysmal and subplatysmal structures of the neck by comparing surgical specimen was performed to determine the impact of reduction on cervical contouring. Methods In 152 patients undergoing deep cervicoplasty, the frequency of modification of each surgical maneuver and amount of supraplatysmal and subplatysmal volume removed was measured in cubic centimeters using a volume displacement technique. Results The mean volume of total volume remove from the supraplatysmal and subplatysmal planes during deep cervicoplasty was 22.3 cm3 with subplatysmal volume representing 73%. Subplatysmal volume was reduced in 152 patients. Deep fat was reduced in 96% of patients with mean volume of 7 cm3, submandibular glands (76%) with mean volume 6.5cm, anterior digastric muscles (70%) with mean volume 2cm3, peri-hyoid fascia (32%) with mean volume &lt;1cm3 and mylohyoid reduction (14%) with mean volume &lt; 1cm3 in the series. The anterior digastric muscles were plicated to reposition the hyoid in 34% of cases. Supraplatysmal fat reduction was 6.3 cm3 in 40% of patients. Conclusions The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of volume modification of the central neck during deep cervicoplasty. This objective evaluation of neck volume may help guide clinicians in the surgical planning process and provide a foundation for optimizing cervicofacial rejuvenation techniques.