Postoperative platysmal band deformity. A pitfall of submental liposuction

Submental liposuction is an established advance in treatment of the aging neck. However, its misapplication may result in an aesthetic deformity involving postoperative anterior platysmal banding. To identify preoperative conditions relating to this sequela, we retrospectively analyzed 301 patients treated with submental liposuction. Submental obesity and an anatomic pattern of platysmal nondecussation were found to be significant correlates in the development of postoperative anterior platysmal banding.