“R” face and neck lift: a modified technique for en-bloc facial rejuvenation

Daniel B Saleh,Neil Brierley,Muhammad Riaz

doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2020.207

Abstract

Aim: We developed R lift, a modified en-bloc facelift, in response to growing demand for long-lasting, effective facelift procedures associated with minimal downtime and a low risk of complications. Conventional facelift procedures can be invasive, involve long recovery times, and can be disfiguring in the early postoperative period. However, nonsurgical modalities for facelift tend to yield a weaker, less noticeable lift and may require earlier revision.

Highlights

Conventional full facelift techniques encompass a range of dissections in competing tissue planes, with re-draping of tensioned fascial and/or skin flaps
Prior to our development of R lift, patients with these features traditionally underwent minimalaccess cranial suspension (MACS) facelift +/- open neck lift in our practice. The evolution of this technique was precipitated by a clinical situation where a standard MACS or SMASectomy facelift could have incurred significant skin necrosis in an Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patient detailed in previous work[4]
MACS lift is associated with reduced postoperative morbidity, this procedure in our experience, and others[5], often results in nontrivial bruising

Summary

Introduction

Conventional full facelift techniques encompass a range of dissections in competing tissue planes, with re-draping of tensioned fascial and/or skin flaps. Patients desire alternatives to traditional facelift that offer less downtime and a low risk of complications without compromising effectiveness or stability of the result[3]. This is exemplified in the boom of nonsurgical facelifts and other treatments, which many patients prefer because the stigma of surgery is avoided. The incisions are greater than a traditional short scar procedure, but the footprint of surgical dissection is less than more invasive variants in our practice such as the deep plane lift. To avoid confusion with the multitude of acronyms and terminology we have used “R” in reference to the scar shape that mimics the lower case letter

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Conclusion