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Injectable Filler Technique for Face Lifting Based on Dissection of True Facial Ligaments
Li-Yao Cong1, Jing Duan1, Cheng-En Luo1
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou City, China.
Background:
Strengthening weakened ligament tissues with injectable fillers to improve their supportive effect may achieve the aesthetic goal of face lifting.
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to design an injectable technique for enhancing the true facial ligaments and dissect the ligaments to provide anatomical guidance for effective injection.
Methods:
Six true facial ligaments were chosen as target anatomical sites for injection. Specimens were dissected, and 3-dimensional (3D) images were reconstructed to confirm the exact location of each injection site and to confirm that the proposed injection routes will not cause dangerous vascular damage. A total of 5 patients received the injections; 3D images were taken before and after the injections for comparison and clinical outcome assessments.
Results:
The injection technique was designed to target 6 true facial ligaments, as follows. Site 1 targeted the temporal ligamentous adhesion region to lift the lateral ends of the eyebrows. Site 2 targeted the region of the lateral orbital thickening to lift the lateral canthus. Site 3 and site 4 targeted the zygomatic retaining ligaments and zygomatic cutaneous ligaments, respectively, to augment the soft tissues of the midface. Site 5 targeted the region of the maxillary ligament to lessen the nasolabial folds, and site 6 targeted the mandibular ligament to reduce the marionette line.
Conclusions:
This site-specific injection technique targeting the true ligaments may lead to increased efficiency and accuracy of face rejuvenation and exert a lifting effect.
