The extended neck lift: the "bottom line"

Although adequate submental lipectomy and procedures to reposition and modify the supportive role of the platysma muscles have added to the quality and duration of neck lifts, the "bottom line" is still excision of as much excess skin as possible. A method of extended neck lift is described. It involves ancillary methods of cervical lipectomy and platysma repositioning but it also permits excision of large amounts of excess skin, by extending the posterior incisions medially and inferiorly and pulling the dog ears toward the midline. The results appear to make the additional effort worthwhile.