BACKGROUND

Facelift continues to be one of the most common aesthetic procedures performed in the United States. Although there exist many techniques and variations, SMAS manipulation, by way of plication, overlap or SMASectomy are common and have been shown to result in favorable cosmesis and durability. However, there is a lack of current complications data in the discussion of this technique. 

 

OBJECTIVE

To assess the benefits and risks of the SMASectomy technique.

 

METHODS

The records of all patients who underwent a facelift procedure between December 2004 and March 2019, were reviewed for this study. All procedures were performed at an AAAASF-accredited outpatient facility in Marina Del Rey, California. This represents data on 241 total patients. Retrospective chart review was performed to include data on patient characteristics, operative technique, and complications.

 

RESULTS

Average operative time of 152.68 ± 51.50 minutes and anesthesia time of 175.00 ± 54.07 minutes was observed amongst those patients that underwent SMASectomy. This was significantly lower (p < 0.000001) than those that did not undergo SMASectomy (average operative time of 265.25 ± 85.25 minutes and anesthesia time of 294.22 ± 85.31 minutes). There were no observed facial nerve injuries among patients that underwent SMASectomy. No DVT events were observed in this patient population.

 

CONCLUSION

In the hands of an experienced surgeon, the SMASectomy facelift technique offers the unique advantage of significantly reducing operating time and anesthesia time and can provide extremely favorable and long-lasting aesthetic results.