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

Any face/neck lift operation has a natural flow of slower and speedier portions; slower when dissecting under the superficial musculoaponeurotic system and around nerves while faster during opening, undermining, defatting, and closing. Surgeons can maximize efficiency with these simple maneuvers.

We introduce and demonstrate ten reproducible surgical techniques based on anatomy, which span aspects of the entire face and neck lift procedure including markings, skin flap elevation, sub-superficial musculoaponeurotic system manipulation, preplatysmal fat management, skin re-draping, and post-operative dressings.

As examples, altered scissors facilitate "push" undermining, scoops reduce time for fat removal in the neck, a non-inset method for lobule creation, and digital measurements for certain technical maneuvers are discussed. Moreover, a block and tackle method of facial nerve blocks is reviewed which permits local-only face and neck lifting as well as hematoma drainage without patient intolerance.

Implementation of these surgical techniques in face and neck lift procedures allows the surgeon to potentially decrease operative time and work towards minimizing post-operative edema while attaining aesthetic and natural results.