Anatomical study and aging analysis of the labiomandibular fold / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To discuss the formation mechanism of the aging characteristics of the labiomandibular fold in the lower face, through anatomical and histological study of the labiomandibular fold area.@*Methods@#①The methylene blue dye was injected into the jowl fat compartment and the labiomandibular fat compartment which were located in one side of the face of adult fresh cadaveric heads(5 male, 3 female), the labiomandibular fold area was the uncolored region which between the two colored fat compartments. ②Combining with the observation by eyes, symmetrical region of theobjective ly marked labiomandibular fold on the other side of the face in the same head was selected to dissect with microsurgery technique under microscope. The locations, characteristics and adjacent relationships of the anatomical structures of the labiomandibular fold were observed carefully. During the experiment, some related tissues were measured by vernier caliper and recorded by the text and image. ③The symmetrical region of the marked labiomandibular fold with the methylene blue dye (step①) was cut, dehydrated, imbedded in paraffin and serially sliced in cross-section with the thickness of 10 μm. After that, the sections were used to perform HE stain and Masson stain.@*Results@#The labiomandibular fold is the area of the face which located in the surface of the depressor anguli oris muscle and extends from the mouth corner to the mandibular border. The superior boundary of the labiomandibular fold is formed by the cutaneous insertion of the depressor anguli oris muscle around the mouth corner. The inferior boundary is the mandibular ligament. The lateral and medial area of the labiomandibular fold are the jowl fat compartment and the labiomandibular fat compartment respectively. However, the adipose tissue of the jowl fat compartment is bigger, thicker, looser and lighter in color. Theresult of the histologic evaluation are consistent with the findings of the gross anatomy.@*Conclusions@#According to the characteristics of the labiomandibular fold, there are many aspects of reasons for the emergence of the labiomandibular fold, such as the relaxation of the facial retaining ligaments associated with the labiomandibular fold and the descensus of the lateral soft tissue of the labiomandibular fold with age. In addition, the differences in structure and morphology between the medial and lateral fat compartments of the labiomandibular fold also play a vital role.

True retaining ligaments of face as surgical landmarks / Los verdaderos ligamentos de retención de la cara como marcadores quirúrgicos

The adherence of the overlying tissues to the underlying structures in the face is maintained by the retaining ligaments. True retaining ligaments named orbital, zygomatic and mandibular ligaments are a series of fibrous bands that run from periosteum to the dermis. The tethering effect of true retaining ligaments must be released for achieving a satisfactory movement of facial skin and Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) during facial rejuvenation procedures. The aim of this study was to define the location of the true retaining ligaments of the face and to discuss their usability as surgical landmarks. The study was made on ten hemi-faces of formaline-fixed cadavers. Dissections resembling face-lift procedures were applied and ligaments were determined. The distances of the ligaments to lateral canthus, tragus and commissure and to the lines from tragus to lateral canthus and commissure were measured. Correlations were investigated statistically. The distances of the zygomatic and mandibular ligaments from the tragus were 66.50±10.78 mm and 114.80±9.76 mm respectively. The distances of the zygomatic ligament from the commissure and the commissure tragus line were 56.30±8.94 mm and 28.40±5.19 mm respectively. The distances of zygomatic and mandibular ligaments from the tragus were strongly correlated with a ratio of 3/5 and there was a strong correlation between the distances of the zygomatic ligament from the commissure and commissure- tragus line with a ratio of 2. The results of this study elucidated the possibility of the use of the true retaining ligaments as surgical landmarks for facial surgery.

La adherencia de los tejidos que recubren a las estructuras subyacentes en la cara se mantiene por los ligamentos de retención. Los ligamentos de retención verdaderos llamados ligamentos orbitales, cigomático y mandibular son una serie de bandas fibrosas que se extienden desde el periostio a la dermis. El efecto de la inmovilización de los verdaderos ligamentos de retención debe ser liberado para lograr un movimiento satisfactorio de la piel del rostro y del SMAS durante los procedimientos de estiramiento facial. El objetivo fue definir la ubicación de los verdaderos ligamentos de retención de la cara para discutir su utilidad como puntos de referencia quirúrgicos. El estudio se realizó sobre diez hemi-caras de cadáveres, fijadas con formalina. Las disecciones se asemejaron a los procedimientos de estiramiento facial, se aplicaron y determinaron los ligamentos. Se midieron las distancias de los ligamentos al canto lateral, trago, comisura y a las líneas de trago a canto lateral y comisura. Las correlaciones fueron analizadas estadísticamente. Las distancias de los ligamentos cigomático y mandibular desde el trago fueron 66,50±10,78 mm y 114,80±9,76 mm, respectivamente. Las distancias del ligamento cigomático a la comisura y la línea de comisura al trago fueron 56,30±8,94 mm y 28,40±5,19 mm, respectivamente. Las distancias de los ligamentos cigomático y mandibular desde el trago estaban correlacionadas de forma importante con una relación de 3/5 y había una fuerte correlación entre las distancias del ligamento cigomático desde la línea de comisura y el trago - con una relación de 2. Los resultados de este estudio han dilucidado la posibilidad de la utilización de los verdaderos ligamentos de retención como puntos de referencia quirúrgicos para la cirugía facial.

Extended SMAS Facelift

In order to solve the problems related to aging faces, new techniques, including various kinds of barbed suture technique, are developing in present time. Although these several kinds of noninvasive or minimal invasive method for aging face have their own indication and barely complications, these procedures would be less effective than the extended SMAS technique used on those of Oriental person. In the face, there are some retaining ligaments, which support facial soft tissue against gravitational change. With aging, the cheek soft tissue anterior to the zygomatic ligament and posterior to the mandibular ligament descends into the plane between the superficial and deep fascia. However, the attached area by the zygomatic and mandibular retaining ligaments are almost unchanged because the ligaments that support facial soft tissue in normal anatomic position i.e, ligaments retain their integrity while the soft tissue around it relaxes. These changes lead to the formation of a nasolabial fold and jowl. I think the most important consideration factor before choosing a certain procedure is to decide which procedure could bring more predictable results, make longer lasting effect, and has minimal risk and morbidity. In my opinion, it is rationally impossible to say that one technique is better than the other. I always try to keep in mind that no two patients are the same, so whenever I do my technique, I try to adjust and adapt my technique according to individual specifications. Among the multiple problems related to aging, there are three distinctive features, which are wrinkles, volume loss, and drooping facial soft tissue. There is no single method for removing these problems. If the wrinkles are the main problem, we can get the best result by facial resurfacing. If somebody has deep wrinkles, fold, and drooping facial soft tissue, I usually perform the extended SMAS facelift. I always do it with local anesthesia. Under the intravenous sedation with ketamine, midazolam, and propofol, I infiltrate 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine along the proposed incision line. Next, the tumescent solution is infiltrated into the face and neck dissection area. A total of 300-400ml of tumescent solution is infiltrated on the both sides of the face and neck. After infiltration, I begin working on the neck area first and then try to solve the facial problems. Different problems require different amount of subcutaneous and SMAS dissection. If the patient's main problem is wrinkle and one has a thin skin, one requires wide skin dissection and extended SMAS technique. If the patient's main problem is wrinkle and one has a thick skin, one requires narrow skin dissection and extended SMAS technique. If the patient's main problem is drooping and one has a thin skin, one requires narrow skin dissection and extended SMAS technique. If the patient's main problem is drooping and one has a thick skin, one requires wide skin dissection and extended SMAS technique. If somebody receives foreign body injection or secondary facelift, I do my procedure in case by case.

Extended SMAS Facelift

In order to solve the problems related to aging faces, new techniques, including various kinds of barbed suture technique, are developing in present time. Although these several kinds of noninvasive or minimal invasive method for aging face have their own indication and barely complications, these procedures would be less effective than the extended SMAS technique used on those of Oriental person. In the face, there are some retaining ligaments, which support facial soft tissue against gravitational change. With aging, the cheek soft tissue anterior to the zygomatic ligament and posterior to the mandibular ligament descends into the plane between the superficial and deep fascia. However, the attached area by the zygomatic and mandibular retaining ligaments are almost unchanged because the ligaments that support facial soft tissue in normal anatomic position i.e, ligaments retain their integrity while the soft tissue around it relaxes. These changes lead to the formation of a nasolabial fold and jowl. I think the most important consideration factor before choosing a certain procedure is to decide which procedure could bring more predictable results, make longer lasting effect, and has minimal risk and morbidity. In my opinion, it is rationally impossible to say that one technique is better than the other. I always try to keep in mind that no two patients are the same, so whenever I do my technique, I try to adjust and adapt my technique according to individual specifications. Among the multiple problems related to aging, there are three distinctive features, which are wrinkles, volume loss, and drooping facial soft tissue. There is no single method for removing these problems. If the wrinkles are the main problem, we can get the best result by facial resurfacing. If somebody has deep wrinkles, fold, and drooping facial soft tissue, I usually perform the extended SMAS facelift. I always do it with local anesthesia. Under the intravenous sedation with ketamine, midazolam, and propofol, I infiltrate 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine along the proposed incision line. Next, the tumescent solution is infiltrated into the face and neck dissection area. A total of 300-400ml of tumescent solution is infiltrated on the both sides of the face and neck. After infiltration, I begin working on the neck area first and then try to solve the facial problems. Different problems require different amount of subcutaneous and SMAS dissection. If the patient has thick facial skin and his or her main problem is drooping, wide skin area and SMAS undermining beyond the retaining ligaments is required. If the patient has thick facial skin and the main problem is wrinkles, less skin area and wide SMAS dissection is needed.