Subcutaneous Face and Neck Lift: A Traditional Method With Definite Effects Among Asians.

BACKGROUND The mainstream face lifts in western countries always involve the SMAS treatment. Meanwhile, subcutaneous face and neck lift is wildly applied among Asians. OBJECTIVES To evaluate outcomes of subcutaneous face and neck lift, including patient-reported and 3D measurement outcomes, and report on details of surgical procedures. METHODS Patients who received a subcutaneous face and neck lift from January 2017 to June 2019 were asked to complete FACE-Q scales, and facial information was collected by the Vectra 3D imaging system preoperatively and postoperatively. Volume changes in midface and possible displacement of facial landmarks were measured. The range of dissection and the amount of skin removed were recorded intraoperatively. RESULTS In total, 119 patients (median age 46 years, interquartile range 40 - 53 years) received a subcutaneous face and neck lift. Among them, 88 patients completed pre- and postoperative FACE-Q scales. Patients' satisfaction with facial subunits improved and wrinkles were significantly relieved (p＜0.001). Nineteen patients (38 midface sides) completed 3D image data collection. Postoperatively, zygomatic volume was increased, while nasolabial and lateral cheek volumes were decreased, with the volume change of 2.2 ± 1.3 mL. Mouth, nose, and eye displacements were negligible postoperatively. The widths of skin removed at the middle temporal, front of the sideburns, upper helix, earlobe, and retro-auricular were 13.8±1.9 mm, 19.6±3.1 mm, 27.6±3.9 mm, 16.4±3.9 mm, and 32.2±4.0 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our subcutaneous face and neck lift was effective in relieving nasolabial sagging, improving wrinkles, and achieving facial rejuvenation.