Evaluating Facelift Complications and the Effectiveness of the SMASectomy Technique: A Single Center’s 15-Year Experience

Abstract

Abstract BackgroundFacelift continues to be one of the most common aesthetic procedures performed in the United States. Although there exist many techniques and variations, superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) manipulation, by way of plication, overlap, or SMASectomy, is common and has been shown to result in favorable cosmesis and durability. However, there is a lack of current complications data in the discussion of this technique. ObjectivesTo assess the benefits and risks of the SMASectomy technique. MethodsThe 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 American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (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. ResultsAverage operative time of 152.68 ± 51.50 minutes and anesthesia time of 175.00 ± 54.07 minutes were observed among those patients who underwent SMASectomy. This was significantly lower (P ConclusionsIn 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. Level of Evidence: 3