Long-Term Brow Lift Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Ophthalmology
• Facial Rejuvenation

Background:

• Brow lift procedures are common for aesthetic and functional improvement.
• Long-term outcomes and comparative effectiveness of different surgical techniques require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and analyze long-term outcomes of brow lift procedures.
• To compare the efficacy and safety of different surgical and fixation methods for brow lifts.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
• Inclusion of original human research with quantitative brow elevation data and a minimum 6-month follow-up.
• Random-effects meta-analysis to pool data on brow elevation and complication rates.

Main Results:

• Analysis of 22 studies (2,127 brows) with a mean follow-up of 20.9 months.
• Significant long-term brow elevation achieved: lateral (3.8mm), central (3.02mm), and medial (2.41mm).
• Tined implant fixation showed greater lateral elevation but higher dysesthesia rates than suture fixation.

Conclusions:

• Brow lift surgery demonstrates long-term efficacy and a favorable safety profile.
• Pretrichial and post-trichial approaches showed no significant difference in long-term outcomes or complications.
• Surgeons should consider the trade-off between enhanced lateral elevation and increased dysesthesia with tined implants versus sutures.