Recent advances in neck lift

In reconstruction of the redundant neck, combining skin lift, muscle lift, and suction lipectomy gives superior results more often than use of only one of these. The history of the development of the operation is reviewed. Points in preoperative planning, stressing the extent of the platysma muscle and volume of submandibular fat in obtaining good results, are emphasized. Pertinent anatomy of the subcutaneous musculoaponeurotic platysma system is reviewed. Specific points of operative technique are reviewed, such as my preference to elevate the skin in the neck prior to suction lipectomy. Variances in technique related to thin, "normal," and obese patients are discussed.