Neck Rejuvenation with Mastoid-Spanning Barbed Tensor Threads (MST Operation)

Abstract

Face rejuvenation with barbed tensor threads has been used in a variety of techniques by many authors focused mainly on cheek rejuvenation. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of detailed techniques and descriptions of surgical steps in barbed-thread neck rejuvenation. Here we describe our technique and analyze the results of this approach to minimally invasive neck rejuvenation with barbed threads. The main aspect of this technique is placement of a mastoid-spanning barbed thread, which deepens the cervicomental angle and provides more tension than other techniques that use barbed threads but that do not cross the neck midline. A retrospective study was conducted on a group of 67 consecutive cases who underwent this technique in a 34-month period starting in August 2009. The patients' average age was 48 years old and the average follow-up was 18 months. Patient satisfaction was high as evidenced by a minimal request for secondary operations. Complications were few and mild, with no cases requiring reoperation for thread removal. The study showed that neck rejuvenation with barbed threads that cross the neck midline is a powerful minimally invasive rejuvenation technique. The best indication is in patients with initial signs of facial aging. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.