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Complete platysma transection in anterior neck rejuvenation has several downsides
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Despite initial satisfaction results, invasive procedures for correction of platysma bands and skin excess over the anterior neck require long recovery time and recurrence of deficiencies may surface, according to study data published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
For more than 25 years, Mario Pelle-Ceravolo, MD, and colleagues have used a technique based on complete neck undermining and full-width plastyma transection.
The researchers evaluated patient satisfaction treated with this technique as well as the recurrence of the two main neck aesthetic deficiencies: Anterior platysma bands and anterior skin laxity. The study included 150 patients (mean age 58.4 years) requesting full neck rejuvenation between 200 and 2004.
At 3 months, 138 patients (92%) returned for consultation, and 121 answered the anonymous questionnaire that was provided. At 1 year, 96 patients (64%) returned for consultation with 76 questionnaires received.
All patients were satisfied with their results at 3 months. At 1 year, six patients rated their results lower at “average.” However, the rest of the patients (more than 90%) still rated “good” up to “beyond expectation.”
The researchers found that at 6 months following surgery, 14 patients (11.4%) had recurring platysma bands and 26 patients (21.3%) had anterior skin laxity. At 1 year, only 54 out of 96 returning patients were platysma band-free and only 50 showed no skin excess over the anterior neck.
Outside of aesthetic satisfaction, patients reported issues with the length of postoperative recovery and the need to avoid social activities.
“Despite obtaining satisfactory results in most patients, this technique has several downsides: it is time consuming, there is the risk of iatrogenic deformities unless carried out precisely, the postoperative recovery is often very long, and there is a significant failure to maintain long-term correction. After 25 years’ experience, and with these deficiencies, a reconsideration of the most appropriate procedure for correction of the anterior neck is warranted,” the researchers wrote. – by Talitha Bennett
Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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