ElKafrawi, H. (2022). Fixed-Tension Sutures for Face and Neck Lifting. The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 46(1), 1-7. doi: 10.21608/ejprs.2022.220414
Hossam Y. ElKafrawi. "Fixed-Tension Sutures for Face and Neck Lifting". The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 46, 1, 2022, 1-7. doi: 10.21608/ejprs.2022.220414
ElKafrawi, H. (2022). 'Fixed-Tension Sutures for Face and Neck Lifting', The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 46(1), pp. 1-7. doi: 10.21608/ejprs.2022.220414
ElKafrawi, H. Fixed-Tension Sutures for Face and Neck Lifting. The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2022; 46(1): 1-7. doi: 10.21608/ejprs.2022.220414
The Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University
Abstract
Background: Surgical facelifts has always been the pinnacle of facial rejuvenation, however in face of an evergrowing trend towards less invasive techniques, the ability of plastic surgeons to sell this idea to their customers is ever decreasing. Most of our patients are unwilling and afraid of a long downtime, postoperative scars and possible complications. Thread lifting has been introduced to turn a facelift into a less invasive, scarless, low complications technique. However the absorbable PDO sutures, which are well advertised and widely used by cosmetologists, have failed to gain the acceptance of plastic surgeons based on their lack of durability, lack of true fixation, and the fact that they work on the skin, not the SMAS. Few thread techniques are available that combine the use of permanent threads, stable fixation point, and work on the SMAS layer. However, such techniques require the use of expensive suture materials or specially designed instruments and need special training courses, which limit their use in our society being a very cost sensitive market. Patients and Methods: In this paper, the author presents his modification of the fixed, permanent suture technique, using only widely available straight needles, and commercially available coated polyester sutures (Ethibond), and was performed in 50 patients over the last two years. The patient had only mild or moderate sagging that could benefit from SMAS suspension without the need for skin excision, patient with marked skin laxity were advised for a surgical face lift. Conclusion: The technique is intended for a plastic surgeon with moderate to good experience of face lift as it needs the ability to assess the different planes of the face and be able to grab the SMAS in the sutures. The technique offers good results in patient with mild to moderate sagging and should be thought of as a substitute for surgical face lift.
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