Supraperiosteal fat repositioning with midface lift in lower eyelid blepharoplasty: an 18-year experience.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcomes of fat repositioning via supraperiosteal dissection with midface lift for correction of tear trough deformity in a large Asian patient population. METHODS: Retrospectively review 1152 Asian patients who underwent fat repositioning to the supraperiosteal plane with a midface lift between 2005 and 2022. Surgical technique, postoperative course, and complications were recorded. At the 6-month postoperative follow-up, the degree of patient satisfaction was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 2304 eyes from 1152 patients with an average follow-up of 10 months. These procedures were performed using a transforniceal approach in 185 patients (16%) or a transcutaneous skin excision approach in 967 patients (84%). Among the patients who underwent the transcutaneous technique, seven individuals (0.6%) experienced effective treatment of lower lid ectropion through lateral tarsal strip procedures. Nine patients (0.7%) required revision surgery to address the remaining lateral fat pad due to inadequate lateral orbital fat excision during the initial procedure. At the 6-month follow-up, most patients reported a high level of satisfaction, with 800 patients (78%) expressing extreme satisfaction and 196 patients (19.1%) reporting satisfaction with the improvement in their appearance. No one reported facial numbness, lower eyelid or cheek paralysis, newly developed diplopia or granuloma formation. CONCLUSION: The procedure of fat repositioning involving supraperiosteal dissection and a midface lift, whether performed using a transforniceal approach or a transcutaneous skin excision approach, in lower eyelid blepharoplasty proves to be a secure and auspicious surgical technique for rectifying tear trough deformity and attaining a pleasing aesthetic outcome.

Dual-Plane Midface Lift Through Transoral and Transtemporal Approach.

INTRODUCTION: The surge in the popularity of midface and temporal lifting procedures can be attributed to evolving social media trends and heightened patient expectations, particularly among younger individuals seeking "beautification" rather than traditional rejuvenation. Scarless techniques, such as transtemporal/transoral approaches, are increasingly preferred. This study aimed to combine the advantages of both superficial and deep dissection planes in midface and temporal lifting procedures. METHODS: This retrospective study included 184 patients who underwent surgery using a dual-plane midface and temporal lift technique. Preoperative and postoperative assessments, including P1/P2 ratio calculations, were performed to evaluate volumetric distribution in the midface. RESULTS: The study cohort exhibited a significant improvement in the P1/P2 ratio postoperatively (p < 0.05), indicating successful volume redistribution. Complications, including hypoesthesia, bruising, and infection, were managed effectively. Minor asymmetries were observed, with revisions offered, but declined by the patient. DISCUSSION: This technique offers hidden incisions and reduces the risk of scar-related complications, making it suitable for patients seeking facial enhancement. Addressing the tear trough area and the lateral canthus provides comprehensive facial rejuvenation. The dual-plane approach facilitates both skin mobilization and volume shift, yielding favorable aesthetic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The dual-plane midface and temporal lift technique presented in this study offers a bi-vectoral approach to midfacial lifting, suitable for both beautification and rejuvenation goals. Despite the potential limitations, including infection risk, this method is an effective option for facial enhancement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors  www.springer.com/00266 .

Trinity Lift: A Unique Technique for Endoscopic Midface and Lower Periorbital Unit Lift.

INTRODUCTION: A harmonious face is defined in terms of a balanced relationship among all facial tissues. This balance among skin, fat, muscle, and bone is lost with aging as progressive changes occur in their volume, shape, position, and consistency. Aging of the human face generally starts in the third decade of life, mainly in the midface and periorbital areas. Traditional face-lifting surgeries result in minimal improvements in the midface area. Various techniques have been developed using different dissection planes and vectors with different forms of incision, including endoscopic techniques. METHODS: We attempted to combine endoscopic subperiosteal dissection techniques with the percutaneous needle technique, especially in young- to middle-aged patients. We aim to share technical details of our preferred suspension and fixation method for an endoscopic midface lift with the aid of a percutaneous needle and to present the outcomes of this particular technique in 75 patients. RESULTS: Significant rejuvenation of the nasojugal groove was achieved, and patient satisfaction was high. All cases exhibited satisfactory, symmetrical, and stable elevation of the midface. None of the patients required a second surgery. CONCLUSION: Trinity lift allowed for stronger, easier, and faster application of sutures during endoscopic facial surgery without any other mucosal or transcutaneous incisions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Reconstructive subperiosteal midface lift: A three nonvisible incision approach.

This article describes our surgical technique for subperiosteal midface elevation in patients with paralytic lower eyelid malposition or cicatricial inferior eyelid retraction. Nineteen patients with paralytic lower eyelid malposition and 15 patients with cicatricial inferior eyelid retraction underwent a subperiosteal midface lift (n = 34). The procedure was performed under local anesthesia through three nonvisible incisions. A transconjunctival incision allows preseptal dissection to the orbital rim, followed by a subperiosteal dissection of the midface. An oral incision is useful to achieve complete subperiosteal dissection and to perform the distal periostomy, which allows complete release of the midface soft tissues. A temporal incision provides access to the temporal fascia for fixation of the elevated tissues and gives the surgeon the possibility of removing redundant skin from the scalp instead of the lower eyelid. Additional posterior lamellar grafting was performed in 24 patients. There was a statistically significant reduction in the distance from the pupil centre to the lower eyelid (margin reflex distance, MRD2) 1 month after surgery (preoperative MRD2 9.62 ± 4.52 mm, postoperative MRD2 5.28 ± 2.62 mm). The ectropion and lower eyelid retraction was resolved in all patients, except for one recurrence. Midfacial elevation is a safe and effective surgical technique in the treatment of static lower eyelid malposition after chronic facial nerve palsy or posttraumatic or iatrogenic lower eyelid retraction.

[The eyelid-cheek junction]. / La jonction palpébro-jugale.

The eyelid-cheek junction is a key area which generates many comments: from looking tired to looking good or rested, without forgetting charm, beauty, and a youthful appearance. In spite of many interesting medical and surgical procedures, treating this area is sometimes difficult and results are not always up to our expectations. Standardized blepharoplasty, which has often been improperly used, has shown its limits. Since the latest refinements, lipostructure has revolutionised blepharoplasty and serving as a reference, it has become an established technique. Subperiostal mediofacial lift allows outstanding results at the cost of a certain technical aggressiveness. Aesthetic medicine proposes worthy alternative and/or appropriate complementary solutions. Different procedures we dispose of have been reviewed together with their assets and their limits. A codification of therapeutic indications is proposed. The positioning of the eyelid-cheek clinical junction in relation with the low orbital bone rim influences our strategy in choosing the appropriate technique.

The subperiosteal, drill hole, midface lift.

This article describes a surgical technique using drill holes through the inferior orbital rim and fixation with permanent sutures as a functional subperiosteal midface lift and compares it to other standard midface elevation techniques. This was a retrospective, comparative, non-randomized study. Charts of all patients undergoing midface elevation between 2009 and 2013 were reviewed. Pre- and post-operative photos were graded on a scale 0 to 3 with 0 representing normal lower lid position and lid/cheek junction and 3 representing the most severe malposition. Twenty-seven patients (35 sides) underwent midface lift. Twelve sides had the subperiosteal drill hole midface lift; 9 preperiosteal with Vicryl suture fixation to periosteum; 14 subperiosteal with Endotine midface B device. All groups had similar demographics and indications for surgery. Average follow-up time was greater than 4 months in all groups. No significant complications were seen in any of the patients. The average post-operative grade of the drill hole group was 0.65 compared to 0.75 of the preperiosteal Vicryl group and 0.7 of the Endotine group. The drill hole group had the most severe pre-operative malposition. Overall, the drill hole group demonstrated the largest improvement score. The subperiosteal drill hole technique proved to be an effective method for functional midface elevation. This technique achieves adequate and durable vertical elevation without relying on the strength of the periosteum or use of a commercial device.

Midface-lift patient satisfaction: A 5-year follow-up study.

CONTEXT: Several studies showed, from the clinical point of view, the advantages of the various techniques and surgical approaches to obtain facial rejuvenation. A few studies have highlighted the satisfaction or not of patients who underwent a traditional facelift; however, a long-term follow-up study measuring patient satisfaction with midface-lift surgery has not been published yet. AIMS: The aim of this study is to measure individual patient satisfaction with the midface lift, to find out from each patient his/her level of satisfaction 1 and 5 years after the operation and to compare the results to assess the benefits of the surgery. BACKGROUND: Several studies showed, from a clinical point of view, the advantages of the various techniques and surgical approaches to obtain facial rejuvenation; however, a long-term follow-up study measuring patient satisfaction with midface-lift surgery has not been published yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2010, 163 patients underwent a midface lift. All patients were asked to complete a standardised survey 1 and 5 years after surgery, in order to measure outcomes among facial aesthetic patients. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The paired t-test. RESULTS: All patients reported an improvement as a result of the midface lift. Statistically significant differences in judgement criteria were found for malar eminence and nasojugal groove. Almost all of the patients turned out to be completely satisfied with their appearance with the new look. CONCLUSIONS: Patients were extremely satisfied with their decision to undergo a midface lift and with the outcomes and quality of life following the procedure.

Specificity of facelift surgery, including mid facelift, in case of facial palsy.

The asymmetry created by the facial palsy is of course a cause of demand for facelift surgery. As this lifting action is specific and different from the standard procedures, 3 zones of analysis are proposed: first the frontal and temporal areas with the direct eyebrow lift, second the neck and jawline with action on the depressor anguli oris for the non-paralyzed side and the anterior sub SMAS dissection and third the midface. A new and more simple technique of concentric malar lift is proposed. The first publication on concentric malar lift was made 11years ago. Midface rejuvenation stays very challenging. As a proof of that, many authors prefer a partial rejuvenation of mid face with fat reinjection, with no effect on skin excess, even if all the MRI studies demonstrated no fat loss with time but only fat transfer. This proves that midface lift did not acquire enough simplicity, reliability to become a standard procedure. Six hundred concentric malar lift later, a technical simplification validated with 110 patients and 2years of follow-up is proposed. The improvement is due to a new way to pass the threads deeply on the bone, using permanent barbed sutures. This surgery becomes easier and more efficient.

Advanced Endoscopic Techniques in Asian Facial Rejuvenation.

Asian anatomy and concepts of beauty differ from whites. Traditional SMAS face-lifts are developed based on a white patient population and not ideal to achieve the aesthetic goals of Asian patients. The characteristics of the ideal facial rejuvenation techniques for Asians comprise hidden incisions to avoid hypertrophic scarring and cultural stigma. The authors' approach addresses the Asian face in all dimensions using minimally invasive modalities combined with skin regenerative methods. This surgical technique is called the "Ponytail Lift." It simulates the vertical lift of the face when having the hair pulled up in a high ponytail.

Long-term stability of transconjunctival midface lift surgery for postblepharoplasty lower eyelid retraction.

Lower eyelid retraction occurring as a complication of lower eyelid blepharoplasty may give rise to symptoms of exposure keratitis as well as cosmetic considerations. This retrospective longitudinal study describes our clinical experience with 74 patients with bilateral lower eyelid retraction postblepharoplasty (148 eyes) undergoing a transconjunctival subperiosteal midface lift with the implantation of a hard palate spacer graft over the period 2002 to 2019. All patients had a forced-up traction test result of less than or equal to 2 mm, indicating a significant fibrosis of the middle lamellae. Margin reflex distances (MRD2) were examined at follow-up visits scheduled for 2 weeks, 1 month, and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 years. Mean follow-up duration was ± 102 months (range 6 to 144 months). In all patients, MRD2 varied up until 1-year postsurgery and stabilized thereafter. Last follow-up MRD2 values indicated retraction improvements of 1.4, 2.4, and 3.2 mm, respectively, for those with mild: MRD2 6.3 mm [5.5 - 6.6], moderate: 7.0 mm [6.7 - 7.8], and severe retraction: 8.5 mm [7.9 - 9]. This improvement was statistically significant in patients with severe baseline retraction (p = 0.04). This approach proved to be safe and functional, and cosmetic results were excellent and remained stable over time.

Guided suturing technique for midface lift through minimal temporal incision.

BACKGROUND: The midface has been a difficult zone to manage in rejuvenating surgeries. The major challenge for midface lift is to achieve extensive dissection and elevate the composite tissues en bloc through minimal incisions. METHODS: In a total of 22 composite midface lift cases, a titanium cable wire was used. The wire was made into an elastic loop that guided three SMAS-suspending sutures out of the subcutaneous plane through a short incision at the temporal region. Then, each suture was fixated to the deep temporal fascia. Postoperative complications and the subjective assessment of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Surgeries were successfully commenced in all cases. Midface sagging, eye bags, and nasolabial folds all exhibited considerable improvements. Major complications such as nerve injury and alopecia were not observed. The patients were followed up for an average of 16.9 months. In general, 90% of the patients were satisfied with their outcome. CONCLUSION: This guided suspension suturing technique effectuates a more convenient and efficient way to conduct multi-points anchorage of the composite malar flap. When properly executed, this technique allows the anchorage sutures to bite into the deeper layer of the SMAS that ensures firm suspensions in midface rejuvenation surgery.

Lower Eyelid and Midface Rejuvenation: Suborbicularis Oculi Fat Lift.

The lower eyelids and midface are considered to be a contiguous aesthetic unit although they are different anatomic structures. Through in-depth understanding of complex anatomy and aging theory and appropriate surgical strategies according to the type of aging, surgical outcome of aging lower eyelid/midface can be more and more predictable. This article discusses the characteristics and theories of aging and 5 types of lower eyelid/middle face aging based on 4 key factors, namely, protruding fat in the orbital, excess skin on the lower eyelid, sagging midface and soft tissue deflation. Various combinations of surgical strategies are adopted accordingly.

The Treatment of Post-blepharoplasty Lower Eyelid Retraction.

Numerous solutions for post-blepharoplasty lower eyelid retraction are reviewed. Patients require permanent recruitment of skin and soft tissue to lengthen the lower eyelid and control of the lower eyelid shape. The authors use a hand-carved expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) implant held with microscrews to provide volume and felting material at the orbital rim and to permanently fix vertically lifted cheek soft tissue into the lower eyelid. The eyelid margin is also controlled with a hard palate graft inset into the conjunctival surface below the tarsus. This eyelid reconstruction avoids tension on the lateral canthoplasty, a point of failure in other solutions.

Safety and Efficacy of a Trans-Eyelid Facial Rejuvenation Surgery Combining Partial Repositioning of Orbital Fat and Midface Lift in Chinese Patients: A Prospective Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the combined technique of midface lift and partial release of orbital fat for facial rejuvenation and evaluate the safety and aesthetic results. METHODS: This was a single-center study that included patients who underwent facial rejuvenation from January 2010 to December 2016. The orbital fat was partially removed, and the cheek fat pads were repositioned to exfoliate the myocutaneous flaps of the lower eyelids and midface through a sub-ciliary incision. The cheek soft tissue pads and orbital fat were restored and sutured to the periorbital membranes and orbital margins. Postoperatively, the patients were examined at 6 and 18 months for changes in the shapes of cheeks, eyelid joints, sunken eyepit, and nasolabial sulcus along with procedural complications. RESULTS: A total of 179 (177 women; 2 men) eligible patients with a mean age of 47.17 years underwent the procedure. The shapes of cheeks and eyelid joints of all patients improved, along with shallowing of the sunken eyepit and nasolabial sulcus at 6- and 18-month follow-up. The surgical procedure involved minor trauma without facial scarring, lower eyelid flinch, and dislocation. None of the patients reported complications of nerve injuries, long-term chemosis conjunctiva, periocular swelling, or dislocation of the lower eyelids. Only 2 patients who underwent subsequent pouch surgeries had slight ectropion, which was restored within 4 months of surgery. CONCLUSION: To conclude, the combined partial orbital fat repositioning and midface lift via sub-ciliary approach is a successful treatment option for facial rejuvenation with no major complications.

A new approach to lower eyelid-cheek junction rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: Anti-aging in lower eyelid-cheek junction area has always been the upmost widely sought of cosmetic surgery. Removal of orbital fat from inside or outside, removal of part of the skin or even the orbicularis muscle, superficial pull and deep fill and a series of surgical procedures like these have been or are becoming the mainstream of clinical practice. However, aging involves a variety of tissues and causes, which is a dynamic and continuous process. Conventional or a single method cannot fundamentally solve all of the problems of the aging in lower eyelid-cheek junction area. Therefore, we propose a better-organized surgical approach based on the whole anatomy of lower eyelid-cheek junction area. METHODS: A total of 103 patients received lower eyelid-cheek junction rejuvenation surgery from September 2014 to September 2017 in our department. Efficacy of surgeries was delineated and scored by both patients and surgeons. RESULTS: All patients of different ages, genders were relatively satisfied with the lower eyelid-cheek junction rejuvenation surgery in our department. Patients with different past histories of cosmetic surgeries could all benefit from the lower eyelid-cheek junction rejuvenation surgery. CONCLUSION: Rejuvenation of lower eyelid-cheek junction area should be based on a thorough understanding of periorbital anatomy, age-related changes of the lid-cheek junction, and the variables controlling lower lid tone and position. The surgical strategies are best used in a graded fashion.

Periorbital Surgery: Forehead, Brow, and Midface.

Periorbital rejuvenation requires a careful understanding of the interplay between the eyelids, brow, forehead, and midface. Reversing periorbital signs of aging requires a correction of volume loss, soft tissue ptosis, and skin changes. Many surgical and nonsurgical techniques exist to treat the aging periorbital region; however, careful consideration of the patient's complaints and existing anatomy is critical to achieving a safe and esthetically pleasing outcome.

Endoscopic midfacial rejuvenation.

Early facial rejuvenation focused largely on the upper and lower thirds of the face. More recently, improvements in understanding of midfacial aging and anatomy have paralleled the development of endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical techniques. The midface is now understood to include both the lower lid subunit and the cheek down to the nasolabial fold. Many surgical techniques for midface rejuvenation have been used, including skin tightening with direct excision, skin-muscle flaps, isolated fat pad transposition, and subperiosteal lifting. The methods of endoscopic subperiosteal midface lifting and endoscopic malar fat pad lifting are discussed.

Transtemporal midface lifting to blend the lower eyelid-cheek junction.

When examining the results of this technique, improvement is noticed in the infraorbital hollowing, midface tissue ptosis, depth of nasolabial folds, and degree of jowling. The greatest overall improvement is the extent of midface ptosis and infraorbital hollowing at the lower eyelid-cheek junction followed by improvement in the nasolabial region. Improvement in jowling was common but less significant than the improvement of the midface structures. The authors think that this dramatic improvement is owing to multiple factors. With wide and complete release of the central and lateral midfacial structures, the en bloc suspension of the SOOF and malar fat pad is thoroughly accomplished. Unlike other midfacial techniques, the transtemporal midface achieves pull in 2 vectors, directing the repositioning of tissuesboth superiorly and laterally. The superior vector repositions the SOOF and malar fat pad over the bony infraorbital rim and malar/zygomatic complex, whereas the lateral pull effaces the nasolabialfold. This superior vector more accurately reverses the forces of aging displayed on the ptotic midface. Lastly, although this technique is not designed primarily to eliminate jowling at the mandible, it has been noted that elevation of 1.0 to 1.5 cm of skin overlying the mandible is typical. Although the endoscopic forehead midface lift is not without its complications or pitfalls, all of these can be minimized, easily managed, or avoided completely through the intraoperative techniques and postoperative care. Careful and deliberate preoperative counseling of patients regarding the possible bumps in the road to recovery is critical. By using the techniques available to limit and manage complications and setting appropriate patient expectations should these complications occur, the endoscopic forehead midface lift can become an extremely powerful and safe technique in the facial cosmetic surgeon's armamentarium to efface the lid-cheek junction with a high degree of patient satisfaction.

The transeyelid midface lift.

The transeyelid approach to midface lift is an elegant approach for mild descent of malar soft tissue. The subciliary approach is the most commonly used and technically less challenging for surgeons experienced in facelift techniques. This technique in midface rejuvenation also has the advantage of ease of combining with other periocular and mid and upper face rejuvenation, such as blepharoplasty and forehead lift. Complication is rare with lid malposition, scaring, and temporary nerve function impairment being the most common.

Management of the midface during rhytidectomy.

No nonsurgical technique can come close to rejuvenating the face like a cervicofacial rhytidectomy. However, one of the most difficult areas to improve during a facelift is the midface. The multi-vector high superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) facelift and extended lower-lid midface lift are important techniques that can adequately address the midface during rhytidectomy. The multi-vector high SMAS facelift is a natural extension of a traditional SMAS plication or imbrication facelift. The extended lower-lid midface lift can be an important adjunct during a facelift or as an independent procedure to address the midface.