A New Path of Dissection in the Temporal Region to Avoid Injury of the Temporal Fat Pad

ABSTRACT

The coronal incision is a useful approach to the upper and middle thirds of the facial skeleton, but injury of the frontal branch of the facial nerve can be possible. The authors experienced 56 cases from 31 patients in which trauma to the temporal fat pad and the facial nerve was avoided by dissecting beneath the deep layer of the deep temporal fascia during temporal dissection in subperiosteal face lift, frontofacial monobloc advancement, Le Fort III osteotomy, and open reduction of zygomatic arch fracture. The advantages of this approach include avoiding injury to the facial nerve and minimal bleeding, thereby allowing for an easy and more rapid procedure. Furthermore, there was no development of postoperative temporal depression. This approach is particularly useful for subperiosteal face lifts, procedures requiring exposure of the zygomatic arch, or procedures requiring access to the mid face.