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Background: The longevity of a brow lift, its morphology, and its contribution to overall facial aesthetics have not been addressed in previous studies using both objective measurements and validated subjective aesthetic scoring systems., Methods: Thirty-one patients with a 5.4-year follow-up after subperiosteal endoscopic brow lift were assessed by (1) objective measurements using computer software, (2) validated regional aesthetic scoring systems, and (3) global aesthetic scoring systems., Results: In part 1, objective measurements confirm a subtle elevation of the brows at less than 5 mm (p<0.001) that persisted at 5.4 years after surgery in all areas except the tail of the eyebrow. In part 2, subjective regional aesthetic scoring indicated that the dimensional change is small but apparent to observers, and is maintained at 5.4 years; that depressor muscle resection with a brow lift provides a statistically significant reduction in glabellar lines, which is maintained at 5.4 years; and that a brow lift provides temporary improvement in forehead lines but that this improvement relapses to baseline at 5.4 years. In part 3, global aesthetic scores suggest that 64 percent patients are still judged as appearing better 5.4 years after a brow lift than before surgery., Conclusions: This is the first study to provide evidence from both objective measurements and validated subjective aesthetic scoring systems regarding the morphology, benefits, and longevity of endoscopic brow-lift surgery. This demonstrates that a brow lift produces a subtle elevation, with a natural eyebrow morphology close to the original, and with minimal long-term relapse except at the tail of the eyebrow., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, IV.

Background: The longevity of face-lift surgery is a key question that has not been adequately addressed by previous studies. No study has used standardized photographs, objective measurements, or validated subjective scoring systems., Methods: From 2001 to 2011, photographs were standardized in this institution. Fifty primary face-lift patients were assessed 5.5 years after surgery using objective measurements from standardized photographs, a region-specific subjective assessment (Scale Summit II scores), and an overall subjective assessment (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scores)., Results: For the first outcome measure, the jowl elevated in vertical height by 6 mm after face-lift surgery, with a relapse of 21 percent at 5.5 years. Jowl correction was maintained at 5.5-year follow-up (p < 0.0001). Cervicomental angle decreased by 13 degrees after face-lift surgery, with partial relapse of 69 percent at 5.5 years. For the second outcome measure, scores showed significant improvement in all areas following a face lift (jowl, nasolabial, and marionette, p < 0.0001; neck, p = 0.0007). At 5.5 years, no subjective worsening of any area was noted except the neck. For the third outcome measure, scoring suggested that 76 percent of patients will still appear younger 5.5 years after a face lift than they did before the face lift., Conclusions: This study indicates that differential regional aging occurs after face lifting, with the jowl, nasolabial, and marionette areas remaining well corrected at 5.5 years but with partial relapse of neck correction. Long-term global aesthetic assessment remains positive in the vast majority of patients. This study provides strong evidence that face-lift surgery can provide significant long-term aesthetic gains., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, IV.

Background: Ecchymosis, oedema, haematoma and pain after SMAS-based facelift surgery are all the direct result of the physical trauma of surgery and subsequent inflammatory response. Hilotherapy is a novel form of cryotherapy that purports to minimise these events through single-use face masks circulating cooled, sterile water. This study was performed to assess the validity of Hilotherapy in this population of patients., Methods: Over 14 weeks fifty consecutive patients were randomised to post-operative facial cooling with Hilotherapy or management with standard dressings alone, while fifteen subsequent, consecutive patients were randomised to cooling of one side of the face but not the other. Assessment of ecchymosis, oedema, haematoma and pain was performed independently by clinical staff and patients. The second analysis was undertaken to better delineate pain relief using each individual patient as their own control., Results: The Hilotherapy mask produced a statistically significant difference in facial skin temperature (p = 0.01). In the second limb of the study patients reported a statistically significant increase in facial swelling 6-8 days post surgery in the half of the face that was treated with the mask (p = 0.05) but there was no significant difference in ecchymosis, haematoma and pain between comparison groups (p > 0.10) in either limb of the study. Subjectively the majority of patients found the cooling masks to be comforting., Conclusion: In this randomised, controlled trial the Hilotherapy mask produced significant facial skin cooling after SMAS-based facelift surgery at the expense of a statistically significant increase in patient reported post-operative swelling. No objective benefits were derived in terms of reducing ecchymosis, haematoma or pain., (Copyright © 2011 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Procedures combining a short scar with superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) manipulation are increasingly popular for patients with early signs of mid- and lower-facial laxity seeking rhytidectomy. We present the senior author's experience with a short scar volumetric malar imbrication rhytidectomy, which avoids post-auricular incisions and sub-SMAS dissection., Patients and Methods: Between January 2004 and April 2007, 54 patients underwent a short scar volumetric rhytidectomy (9.6% of all facelifts). These procedures were primary in 38 and secondary in 16 patients, at a mean age of 49 years (range 35-77 years). Average operating time was 90 min. Resultant vertical and horizontal skin movement at the helical root was recorded. Concurrent procedures included blepharoplasty, canthoplasty, endoscopic forehead rejuvenation and fat grafting. Minimum follow up was 3 months. Pre- and 3 month postoperative photographs of 25 randomly selected patients were rated by three independent surgeons. A seven-point scale was used to grade the improvement in the malar eminence, melolabial fold, jowls and cervicomental angle. The overall aesthetic result was assessed using the MDACS grading system. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-tests and general estimation equations where appropriate., Results: There were no significant complications. Three patients developed minor cheek swellings which all settled with antibiotics. Mean postoperative aesthetic outcomes were rated as 'Good' using the MDACS scale (mean score 0.64), with no 'Poor' results. Vertical skin lifting was significantly greater than the horizontal skin lifting (P<0.001). Mild postoperative improvements were noted in the malar eminence soft tissue volume, nasolabial fold diminishment, jowl diminishment and cervicomental angle., Conclusion: In the appropriately selected face, short scar volumetric malar imbrication rhytidectomy is a straightforward, safe and effective procedure for improving the early signs of ageing.

Background: Postoperative drainage is often used instinctively in face lifting on the assumption that it may reduce the likelihood of complications. This potential benefit should be balanced against cost, discomfort, and the possibility of provoking bleeding and hematoma on removal. Evidence-based decisions on drainage are problematic, since no prospective studies have examined its role. This study was designed to address this issue directly., Methods: Fifty consecutive patients undergoing face lift over a 3-month period were randomized to drainage of one side of the face only, with the contralateral side serving as a paired control. Bruising, swelling, and hematoma or seroma were assessed objectively, independently of the operating surgeon and subjectively by the patients., Results: Postoperative hematoma and edema were not influenced by the use of drains (p > 0.5). Patients reported no difference between the two sides with respect to swelling (p = 0.6) or discomfort (p = 0.5). However, drains produced a statistically significant reduction in postoperative bruising both on clinical assessment (p = 0.005) and patient assessment (p = 0.002)., Conclusions: This article represents the first prospective, randomized, controlled trial assessing the use of postoperative drainage in facial rejuvenation surgery. Surgical drains do not influence postoperative complications, but they do significantly reduce bruising and so may facilitate the patient's return to normal activity.

Hematoma remains the most common complication of rhytidectomy and can lead to prolonged facial edema and skin necrosis. A number of ancillary procedures have been suggested to reduce hematoma, including dressings, drains, fibrin glue, tumescence, and adrenaline. The aim of this study was to investigate the statistical effect of these parameters on hematoma incidence in a large series of face lifts. Over an initial 6-year period, 678 consecutive face lifts were performed and included in the first part of the study. The effect of dressings, drains, fibrin glue, and tumescence on hematoma rate was investigated retrospectively. In the second part of the study, the specific effect of adrenaline was analyzed while all other parameters were kept constant. The 229 patients with adrenaline-containing infiltrations were compared with the 232 patients whose infiltration had no adrenaline. Retrospective analysis of both groups was performed using Fisher's exact test. In the first part of the study investigating 678 consecutive face lifts, no difference in hematoma rate (4.4 percent overall) was observed with the use of dressings (p > 0.5), drains (p > 0.4), fibrin glue (p > 0.6), or tumescence (p > 0.5). In the second part of the study, the specific effect of withdrawing adrenaline in a comparative group of 461 face lifts significantly reduced the incidence of hematoma requiring surgical evacuation (p < 0.0001). There was also a significant reduction in the incidence of minor hematoma requiring only aspiration (p = 0.02). There was no change in the incidence of any other face lift complications observed during this part of the study. This study found a significant reduction in the incidence of hematoma following face lifting. Although many of the suggested ancillary methods used to reduce hematoma did not produce any statistical reduction in the incidence of this complication, the exclusion of adrenaline had a profound effect. The technique and implications with respect to safety and outcome are described.

Tumescent infiltration has been widely used in body-contouring surgery to facilitate dissection and reduce blood loss. Although its use in facial surgery has been suggested, there are presently no comparative studies of its efficacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome in a large series of consecutive face lifts performed with and without tumescence. During a 6-year period, 678 consecutive face lifts were performed: 449 without tumescence and 229 with tumescent infiltration using 200 ml on each side of the face. The spectrum of techniques included the extended superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) procedure, the lateral SMASectomy, the extended supraplatysmal plane lift, and the cutaneous face lift. Complications, such as hematoma, skin necrosis, alopecia, and scar quality, were compared between groups using Fisher's exact test. The use of tumescent infiltration facilitated dissection, particularly in the neck. Postoperative swelling and bruising were reduced in the tumescent group. In comparisons of major complications between groups, no difference was seen in hematoma rate (p > 0.5), although the incidence of other complications was significantly reduced by tumescent infiltration. Significant reduction was observed in the rate of skin necrosis (p = 0.03), alopecia (p = 0.006), hypertrophic scarring (p = 0.001), stretched scarring (p = 0.003), and scar revision (p < 0.001). This is the first comparative study of tumescent infiltration in facial rejuvenation surgery. Tumescence made dissection easier and significantly reduced the incidence of troublesome complications. The surgical technique and aesthetic implications for rejuvenation surgery are discussed.

Haematoma remains the most common complication of rhytidectomy and can lead to prolonged facial oedema or skin necrosis. The factors leading to haematoma formation remain unclear, and studies establishing causal relationships are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine which parameters were significantly associated with haematoma formation in a consecutive series of facelifts performed by two high-volume operators. The records of 1078 patients who underwent facelifting between 1994 and 1999 were reviewed and the parameters associated with haematoma formation were investigated using multivariate statistical analysis. In this series of 1078 patients, 45 haematomas occurred (4.2%). Analysis revealed significant associations between haematoma formation and anterior platysmaplasty (P= 0.009), systolic pressure (P= 0.02), gender (P= 0.03), aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory intake (P= 0.04) and smoking (P= 0.049). In addition the relative risk of each parameter was calculated. This allowed the haematoma risk for individual patients to be calculated and haematoma-prone patients were identified preoperatively. This is the first study to establish independent statistical risk factors for haematoma after rhytidectomy and to present a scoring system that calculates the haematoma risk preoperatively. The implications of these findings and possible measures for the prevention of haematoma are also presented., (Copyright 2001 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.)

A retrospective analysis of facelifting experience during the author's initial 8 years of consultant practice is presented. 137 procedures are reviewed and the surgical technique described. 70% were SMAS-platysma lifts, 24% skin only lifts and 6% subperiosteal (mask) lifts. Particular attention was paid to complications, most common of which was haematoma requiring surgical evacuation in 3.6% of patients.