Ten Tips Based on Anatomy and Design to Refine Face and Neck Lift Surgery

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Anatomy
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Face and neck lift procedures involve variable operative times, with slower phases during dissection around critical structures.
• Maximizing surgical efficiency is a key goal for plastic surgeons performing rhytidectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and demonstrate ten reproducible, anatomy-based surgical techniques for face and neck lifts.
• To enhance operative efficiency and potentially reduce surgical duration.

Main Methods:

• Techniques cover the entire face and neck lift process: markings, skin flap elevation, sub-superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) manipulation, and fat management.
• Specific innovations include altered scissors for undermining, scoops for neck fat removal, a non-inset lobule creation method, and digital measurements.
• A novel block and tackle method for facial nerve blocks enabling local anesthesia and hematoma drainage is also presented.

Main Results:

• The described techniques streamline various aspects of the face and neck lift procedure.
• Specific tools and methods are shown to reduce operative time, such as for undermining and fat removal.
• The block and tackle nerve block technique allows for local anesthesia and improved patient tolerance during procedures.

Conclusions:

• Implementing these anatomical surgical techniques can decrease operative time in face and neck lift procedures.
• These methods aim to minimize post-operative edema, contributing to better patient outcomes.
• The techniques facilitate the achievement of aesthetic and natural-looking results in rhytidectomy.