Isolated neck-lifting procedure: isolated stork lift

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Facial Rejuvenation

Background:

• Neck laxity is a common concern for patients seeking facial cosmetic improvement.
• Aging leads to skin elasticity loss, platysma muscle hypotonia, and submental fat accumulation, affecting the cervicomental angle.
• Traditional cervicofacial rhytidectomy may not be suitable for patients desiring isolated neck improvement or those with prior facelift complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of the isolated stork lift (ISL) procedure for neck rejuvenation.
• To assess patient satisfaction and complication rates associated with the ISL procedure.
• To identify ideal candidates for ISL, particularly those with excessive neck skin and without desire for a full facelift.

Main Methods:

• The isolated stork lift (ISL) procedure was performed on 273 patients over two years.
• Inclusion criteria: excessive neck skin and/or lateral bands, no desire for full facelift. Exclusion criteria: unwillingness to conceal posterior hairline scars.
• Surgical technique involved circumoccipital incisions, extensive flap dissection, SMAS suspension sutures, and posterior skin flap manipulation with A-to-T closure.

Main Results:

• High patient satisfaction reported: 240 "very high," 21 "high," 12 "somewhat satisfied."
• No vertical/diagonal skin folds occurred post-procedure. Minimal submental liposuction was needed in two cases.
• Most scars were undetectable after 6 months; five patients had minor scar issues managed effectively. Ten patients required scar revision for widening.

Conclusions:

• The isolated stork lift (ISL) provides excellent neck lifting for anterior, lateral, and posterior areas.
• ISL effectively avoids postoperative vertical/diagonal lines common in other neck lifts.
• This procedure is ideal for patients with significant neck skin excess who wish to avoid a concurrent lower facelift.