eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Cosmetic Surgery

Rhytidectomy, Deep Plane Facelift: Follow-up

Author: Jefferson K Kilpatrick, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Facial Plastic-Head and Neck Surgery, Pinehurst Surgical Clinic
Coauthor(s): Keith A LaFerriere, MD, Clinical Professor, Fellowship Director, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Missouri at Columbia
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 10, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

With careful patient selection and proper surgical technique, patients should expect a good cosmetic result from deep plane rhytidectomy (facelift).

Long-term studies have not clearly demonstrated a significant advantage of the deep plane technique over other more conservative rhytidectomy (facelift) techniques. The surgeon must carefully select those patients with significant malar sagging and deep melolabial folds who would most benefit from this procedure. The surgeon must be comfortable with the anatomy and somewhat longer healing times associated with the deep plane rhytidoplasty.

Future and Controversies

The benefit of a deep plane rhytidectomy (facelift) is still debated and has strong advocates and detractors. Other procedures are available, such as the subperiosteal midfacelift, to address aging face changes in the mid face and melolabial fold area. Surgical techniques will continue to evolve in order to find safer approaches to correct aging face changes in the mid face.

The use of adjuvant therapies such as platelet gel or fibrin glue to promote hemostasis and wound healing is still debated.1

 


More on Rhytidectomy, Deep Plane Facelift

Overview: Rhytidectomy, Deep Plane Facelift
Workup: Rhytidectomy, Deep Plane Facelift
Treatment: Rhytidectomy, Deep Plane Facelift
Follow-up: Rhytidectomy, Deep Plane Facelift
References
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References

  1. Kamer FM, Nguyen DB. Experience with fibrin glue in rhytidectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg. Sep 15 2007;120(4):1045-51; discussion 1052. [Medline].

  2. Baker DC. Deep dissection rhytidectomy: a plea for caution. Plast Reconstr Surg. Jun 1994;93(7):1498-9. [Medline].

  3. Gassner HG, Rafii A, Young A, et al. Surgical anatomy of the face: implications for modern face-lift techniques. Arch Facial Plast Surg. Jan-Feb 2008;10(1):9-19. [Medline].

  4. Godin MS, Johnson CM Jr. Deep-plane/composite rhytidectomy. Facial Plast Surg. Jul 1996;12(3):231-9. [Medline].

  5. Hamra ST. A study of the long-term effect of malar fat repositioning in face lift surgery: short-term success but long-term failure. Plast Reconstr Surg. Sep 1 2002;110(3):940-51; discussion 952-9. [Medline].

  6. Hamra ST. Composite rhytidectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg. Jul 1992;90(1):1-13. [Medline].

  7. Hamra ST. The deep-plane rhytidectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg. Jul 1990;86(1):53-61; discussion 62-3. [Medline].

  8. Kamer FM. One hundred consecutive deep plane face-lifts. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Jan 1996;122(1):17-22. [Medline].

  9. Kamer FM, Mingrone MD. Deep plane rhytidectomy: a personal evolution. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. Feb 2005;13(1):115-26. [Medline].

  10. Mitz V, Peyronie M. The superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) in the parotid and cheek area. Plast Reconstr Surg. Jul 1976;58(1):80-8. [Medline].

  11. Pastorek N, Bustillo A. Deep plane face-lift. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. Aug 2005;13(3):433-49. [Medline].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

deep plane facelift, rhytidectomy, facelift, face lift, facelifts, face lift surgery, facelift surgery, ptosis of midface structures, superficial musculoaponeurotic system imbrication, SMAS imbrication, plication rhytidectomy, lifting face, deep nasolabial folds

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jefferson K Kilpatrick, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Facial Plastic-Head and Neck Surgery, Pinehurst Surgical Clinic
Jefferson K Kilpatrick, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Keith A LaFerriere, MD, Clinical Professor, Fellowship Director, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Missouri at Columbia
Keith A LaFerriere, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, and Missouri State Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Anthony P Sclafani, MD, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary; Professor of Otolaryngology, New York Medical College
Anthony P Sclafani, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Medicis None Speaking and teaching; Contura None Board membership; Contura Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Cascade Medical Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Cascade Medical None Board membership

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Dominique Dorion, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Program Director and Division Chair, Professor of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Sherbrooke, Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation unstricted gift unknown

 
 
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