Midfacial rejuvenation: personal experiences and philosophy

Procedures to rejuvenate the face are constantly evolving. Elevating the midfacial tissues in a vertical direction has gained recent popularity, as it seems to enhance results achieved from more traditional rhytidectomy techniques. Many methods have been described for performing this operation, and the differences among them range from subtle to profound. This article describes my experiences with some of these techniques and explains my personal evolution to the present. It is hoped that the reader will gain insight into the advantages and disadvantages of these surgical techniques and that he or she will be encouraged to explore various methodologies for rejuvenating the midface. The preferred surgical technique that is described herein should also serve as a stepping stone for those readers whose efforts will continue to expand our surgical options and enhance results in the future.