Face lift with U threads

Abstract

The main and more frequent problem in face lift is recurrence of platysma bands, and of skin excess at the bitterness and naso-jugal folds. To improve face lift stability, a new aging analysis is proposed. The visible sign of face aging is skin excess. SMAS retraction is a much less visible sign. Nevertheless, botulinum toxin injections elongate muscles of the SMAS and rejuvenate the face. In the Face Recurve Concept, MRI studies prove the mimic muscles retraction that comes with aging. Face lift techniques that are used today include SMAS plication, traction or excision, which increases discrepancy between the envelop, the skin and the core, the SMAS. As skin excision is poorly efficient because performed posteriorly, far from the anterior skin excess located at the medial neck or at the bitterness fold, the association to SMAS retraction exacerbates the gradient difference between envelop and core. This analysis shows first of all that it is paramount to preserve the SMAS. Secondly, that the sub-skin dissection has to be executed moving beyond the paramedian folds. Then permanent tensor threads anchored in the malar, parotid and mastoid aponeurosis with a U pass flatten the folds and reposition sub cutaneous tissue excess backward to the SMAS. No action is performed on the SMAS, only an horizontal section of the platysma at the hyoid level will avoid platysma band recurrence. Botulinum toxin injections performed just after block muscle regeneration. 35 patients have been operated on a one year period. Results are a lot more stable and swelling is lowered down to the minimum.