Emergent Bilateral Face-lift Hematoma: A Case Report

The face-lift, or rhytidectomy, is a common surgical procedure in the United States. Facial hematoma is the most frequent complication after face-lift. Sometimes an emergent expanding hematoma may require general anesthesia and can present difficulty in securing the airway. This article reviews the frequency and causes of an expanding hematoma and how it affects anesthesia care. The case summary describes an emergent bilateral hematoma after a face-lift in a 50-year-old woman, the emergency treatment, and her subsequent recovery. Details of the procedure are provided. The purpose of examining this case is to inform and educate anesthesia providers about the possibility of a common face-lift complication and how to prepare for securing the difficult airway in this situation.