Longevity of SMAS Facial Rejuvenation and Support. - Related Articles
Longevity of SMAS Facial Rejuvenation and Support.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010 Mar 9;
Authors: Sundine MJ, Kretsis V, Connell BF
BACKGROUND:: One of the most common questions asked by patients when they present for facelift surgery is "How long will this last?" The answer to this question is not clear from the literature. METHODS:: The purpose of the study is to review a series of secondary facelifts performed between 2001 and 2008 with both the primary and secondary facelift performed by a single surgeon. There were 42 patients with full records available for review. Data were collected in regards to timing, surgical technique, complications, and reasons for early revision RESULTS:: The average age at the primary facelift was 50.2 years (34.9-69.9) and the average age at the secondary facelift was 61.9 years (43.6-77.2). The average age length of time from the primary to secondary facelift was 11.7 years. There were 9 patients who required a secondary facelift prior to 5 years from the primary facelift (21.4%). Reasons for early secondary facelifting (within 5 years of the primary) included: loss of skin elasticity (5 patients), increase in subplatysmal fat and skin neck folds due to weight gain (1 patient), loss of elasticity secondary to protease inhibitors for HIV infection (1 patient), loss of skin elasticity due to corticosteroid use (1 patient), and residual fullness of digastric and residual submental fat (1 patient). CONCLUSION:: On average, a well performed SMAS flap facelift will last 12 years. Those patients who present with very poor skin elasticity secondary to sun damage may require an earlier secondary facelift.
PMID: 20224461 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] [PubMed-HIV]