Early Complications from Absorbable Anchoring Suture Following Thread-Lift for Facial Rejuvenation

BACKGROUND: Thread lifting has been known as a minimally invasive procedure compared with the standard incisional surgery for facial rejuvenation. Although there have been several reports on acute or delayed complications after using nonabsorbable thread type, there have only been a few studies on such complications after using absorbable thread type. Hence, the aim of this study was to introduce various complications of thread lifting using the absorbable anchoring type for facial rejuvenation and to discuss about how to resolve it. METHODS: A retrospective review of 144 cosmetic patients, who underwent absorbable barbed thread lifting between July 2013 and December 2015, was performed. The procedure was done using the temporal anchoring technique. The thread used in this study are polydioxanone molding cog (PMC) and polydioxanone cutting cog (PCC), which are both the absorbable type. RESULTS: The results are as follows: Dimple was developed in 3 cases (2.1%); thread exposure was developed in 5 cases (3.5%); alopecia was developed in 3 cases (2.1%); undercorrection was developed in 3 cases (2.1%); asymmetry was developed in 1 case (0.7%); and parotid gland injury was developed in 1 case (0.7%). Out of the total 144 patients, sixteen (11.1%) patients developed at least 1 complication. There was no detectable inflammation or consistent skin excavation. CONCLUSIONS: Most complications of absorbable thread lifting are minor ones, and such complications resolve by retouching or widening the anchoring gap, but it is important to keep in mind the possibility of parotid gland injury.

Measurement of the Exposed Eyeball Area and Vertical Dimension of Palpebral Fissure after Double Eyelidplasty

BACKGROUND: Although the technique of double eyelidplasty is well recognized, there have been a few reports on the measurement of the eyelid after the operation. Herein, we measured the changes of the eyelids photogrammatically and compared them with others. METHODS: Database of patients who had undergone double eyelidplasty using a three-partial-incision technique, along with a follow-up of more than 6 months, were identified. The changes of eyelid were measured by exposed eyeball area (EEA) and vertical dimension of palpebral fissure (VDPF) using preoperative and postoperative photographs. RESULTS: Between January 2012 and December 2013, there were 28 patients who were followed-up for more than 6 months. All patients were female between the age of 16 and 37 years; the average follow-up period was 11.4 months. The mean preoperative value of EEA was 74.6±9.1% and that of VDPF was 7.4±1.0 mm. Conversely, the mean postoperative value of EEA was 83.9±6.3% and that of VDPF was 8.5±1.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The mean values of EEA and VDPF after double eyelidplasty had changed with statistical significance.