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Post-operative hilotherapy in SMAS-based facelift surgery: a prospective, randomised, controlled trial
B M Jones1, R Grover, J P Southwell-Keely
1King Edward VII Hospital Sister Agnes, Beaumont St, London, UK.
Summary
Hilotherapy masks cooled the skin after SMAS-based facelifts but increased swelling. This novel cryotherapy did not reduce bruising, swelling, or pain, despite patient comfort.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Dermatology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Post-SMAS facelift surgery commonly results in ecchymosis, edema, hematoma, and pain due to surgical trauma and inflammation.
- Hilotherapy, a novel cryotherapy, utilizes single-use face masks with circulating cooled sterile water to potentially minimize these post-operative sequelae.
- This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Hilotherapy in managing post-SMAS facelift surgery complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of Hilotherapy in reducing post-operative ecchymosis, edema, hematoma, and pain following SMAS-based facelift surgery.
- To determine if Hilotherapy offers objective benefits compared to standard dressings in managing common post-facelift complications.
- To evaluate patient subjective experience and comfort with Hilotherapy masks.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 50 consecutive patients undergoing SMAS-based facelift surgery.
- Patients were randomized to receive post-operative facial cooling with Hilotherapy or standard dressings alone for 14 weeks.
- A secondary analysis included 15 patients randomized to cooling on one side of the face versus the other, with assessments by clinical staff and patients.
Main Results:
- Hilotherapy significantly reduced facial skin temperature (p = 0.01).
- Patients reported a statistically significant increase in facial swelling on the treated side 6-8 days post-surgery (p = 0.05).
- No significant differences were observed in ecchymosis, hematoma, or pain between the Hilotherapy and control groups (p > 0.10).
Conclusions:
- Hilotherapy effectively cooled facial skin after SMAS-based facelift surgery.
- The cooling effect came at the cost of a statistically significant increase in patient-reported post-operative swelling.
- No objective benefits were demonstrated for Hilotherapy in reducing ecchymosis, hematoma, or pain, although patients found the masks comforting.
