Is Bipolar Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction Equivalent to Open Anterior Platysmaplasty in Facelift Surgery?

BACKGROUND: During facelift surgery, anterior platysmaplasty (AP) has been used for decades, but it limits lateral advancement and can induce contour irregularities. Radiofrequency (RF)-assisted-liposuction in the anterior neck can avoid these disadvantages by tightening skin without open surgery. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare the esthetic outcomes of facelift surgery with those of AP and RF. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: A 5-year retrospective cohort study was performed on facelift patients treated by a single surgeon. Exclusions were single-side surgery, previous facelift, chin/lip augmentation/reduction, and inadequate data. PREDICTOR VARIABLE: The predictor variable was neck management technique (AP vs RF). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: The primary outcome variable was the change in cervicomental angle (CMA) following surgery as measured on facial photographs. Secondary outcomes included distance changes from the central CMA point in vertical and horizontal planes to repeatable reference planes. COVARIATES: Covariates were age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, smoking, and simultaneous procedures. ANALYSES: The statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum, Fisher's exact, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Pearson's correlation, and linear regressions. The level of statistical significance was P < .05. RESULTS: There were 132 patients included in the study; 67 received AP and 65 received RF. AP trended toward better performance in CMA change in the unadjusted analysis (-18.7° ± 13.8° vs -22.3° ± 13.7°, respectively, P = .08). AP and RF performed similarly in the adjusted analysis (P = .29). Techniques were similar in horizontal distance change to the CMA (P = .31). RF was associated with less change in the vertical distance to the CMA in the unadjusted analysis (-11.9 mm ± 11.0 mm vs -6.7 mm ± 8.7 mm, respectively, P = .01) and adjusted analysis (ß = 4.3 mm, 95% confidence interval .8 to 7.9 mm, P = .02). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Utilization of the RF technique for management of the anterior neck in facelift surgery is associated with similar outcomes to the AP technique in horizontal distance to the CMA, but AP performed better in CMA change and vertical distance to the CMA.

Are Delayed Dermal Filler Granulomas More Common Since COVID-19?

PURPOSE: Granuloma and delayed inflammatory reaction to hyaluronic acid facial esthetic fillers occurs rarely. More recently, these reactions have been reported with increasing frequency and have been associated with COVID-19 infection. The purpose of the study is to determine if delayed filler granulomas are more common after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study including of all patients treated with dermal filler at 4 offices of a single cosmetic surgery practice between August 1, 2018 and October 31, 2021 was performed. The primary outcome variable was granuloma formation. The primary predictor variable was time period, either pre-COVID (8/1/18 to 2/29/20) or post-COVID (3/1/20 to 10/31/21). Other study variables recorded were age, amounts of dermal fillers used, and types of dermal filler used. Data were analyzed using chi-squared test, t-tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Over the study period, 3,255 patients receiving 8,067 syringes of filler over 6,800 sessions were reviewed. The average patient age was 46.8 ± 13.7 years and 2,583 sessions were performed in the pre-COVID time period and 4,217 sessions in the post-COVID time period. There were 11 granulomas in 9 subjects receiving filler in the post-COVID time period and 0 granulomas in the pre-COVID time period (0.3% vs 0.0%, respectively, P = .009). Juvederm Vollure was used in 64% of patients who developed granulomas but only accounted for 26% of filler administrations in the post-COVID time period and 28% in the cohort overall (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Granuloma formation is a rare complication of hyaluronic acid filler injection that appears to be occurring with more frequency following the COVID-19 pandemic. Practitioners who administer dermal fillers should be aware of this complication and its apparent increased incidence.

Aesthetic adjuncts with orthognathic surgery.

Traditional orthognathic surgery aligns the patient's bony jaws into a desired, more appropriate position but may leave other cosmetic issues unaddressed. Soft tissue deformities may be treated concomitantly with orthognathic surgery, including soft tissue augmentation (fillers), reduction (liposuction), hard tissue augmentation, cosmetic lip procedures, and rhinoplasty. Some cosmetic adjunctive procedures may be performed at a later date after soft tissue edema from orthognathic surgery has resolved to achieve a more predictable outcome. Undesired cosmetic changes may occur months to years after orthognathic surgery and may be addressed by adjunctive cosmetic procedures.