Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of two-point localized injection of the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle combined with pan-platysma microbotox injection of botulinum toxin type A for improving the aesthetic of mouth corner.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from patients who received concomitant DAO localized injection and pan-platysma microbotox of botulinum toxin type A for improving drooping mouth corners at the Facial and Neck Plastic Surgery Center and the Limb and Scar Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, between December 2022 and June 2025. Botulinum toxin type A was reconstituted to two concentrations: 40 U/ml and 20 U/ml for the combined injection. Patients were instructed to repeatedly perform upward puckering motions to identify the trapezoidal outline of the DAO muscle. Two injection points were uniformly marked slightly medial to the midline of the DAO muscle for dual-target injection (1.5 U each at the middle one-third and lower one-third of the muscle belly). The pan-platysma microbotox for the platysma muscle extended superiorly to a line parallel and 3-4 cm above the mandibular border, innerly to 1 cm beyond the lateral edge of the DAO muscle, inferiorly to the submental area and the anterior neck region above the clavicle, and laterally to the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The injection dose was 0.6 U per point, with 1 cm spacing between points, administered at the superficial subcutaneous layer. Complications were recorded. At 1-month postoperatively, efficacy was evaluated using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS, scores ranging from 5 to 1, representing "much worse" to "very much improved" ) and subjective patient satisfaction (categorized as very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied; satisfaction rate was calculated as the percentage of patients reporting very satisfied or satisfied among the total). Patients’ willingness to receive the same treatment in the future was also surveyed. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.Results:A total of 21 patients were included (1 male, 20 females), with a mean age of (37.1±3.2) years (range: 34-45 years). The treatment procedures were successful. Post-treatment, 4 cases experienced pain and swelling, 8 had neck ecchymosis, and 1 had temporary asymmetry in mouth corner movement, all of which resolved within 2 weeks. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 6 months (mean: 1.4 months). At short-term follow-up (4-6 weeks after treatment), patients reported a skin "tightening" sensation in the lower face and neck region, noting significant improvement in lower facial and neck contour, sharper bilateral jawlines, and reduced neck wrinkles. Drooping mouth corners were improved. The satisfaction survey showed that 17 patients were "very satisfied" and 5 were "satisfied", resultsing in a subjective satisfaction rate of 100%. Nineteen patients (90.5%) expressed willingness to undergo repeat treatment. The mean GAIS score was 1.45±0.69, with 14 patients achieving "very much improved", 5 patients "much improved", and 2 patients "improved" .Conclusion:The combination of two-point localized injection of the DAO muscle and pan-platysma microbotox injection of botulinum toxin into the platysma muscle effectively improve the aesthetic of mouth corners and lower facial contour through synergistic middle and superficial layer treatment. This approach aligns with anatomical and physiological merits and offers advantages such as minimal invasiveness and rapid recovery, making it applicable for patients with early signs of lower facial aging.

Objective:To investigate the effect and safety of the double-cross dressing technique for composite rhytidectomy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on a total of 121 patients with face and neck ageing, who were admitted to the Facial and Neck Plastic Surgery Center, the Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 2020 to May 2023, all female with the age ranged 34-72 years old. All the patients underwent a full facial and neck composite rhytidectomy. Immediately after surgery, a double-cross bandaging was applied. The cotton pad was nested on the outer auricle, so that the front of the ear and the back of the ear were the first cross. This cross aimed to accurately pressurized the temporal, buccal region and postauricle flap. The second cross occurred at the radix. It secured composite tissue flap at the zygomatic arch and the buccal fat pad zone. Patient′s external auricle was not compressed after bandaging. The healing and the occurrence of complications were observed.Results:All the patients were satisfied with the comfort of the bandaging, the satisfied rate was 100% (121/121). All the patients had different degrees of periocular and perioral swelling 72 hours after surgery. Conjunctival edema and xanthochromia occurred in 30 patients, and oral mucosal congestion occurred in 25 patients, all of which were spontaneously resolved 2-4 weeks after surgery. Postoperative nursing was easily managed. There were no events such as dressing loosening, blocked draining tubes, and difficulty in replacing tubes. All the patients were followed up for 3-12 months after surgery, the flap in the postauricular area of all patients healed well, and there were no adverse complications such as wound infection, necrosis of the flap in the operative area, and delayed healing of the incision.Conclusion:The double-cross bandaging technique achieves the comfort bandaging and good protection of the face, which is safe and effective.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of two dressing methods on wound healing and patient satisfaction after cosmetic suturing for pediatric facial trauma.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at Dongying People′s Hospital from October 2022 to October 2023. A total of 180 pediatric patients [105 males, 75 females, aged 3-7 (3.9±1.4) years] with facial trauma requiring cosmetic suturing were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly divided into the study group ( n=91) and control group ( n=89) using a random number table. During the first postoperative dressing change at 24 hours, the study group received saline cleaning followed by erythromycin ointment coverage, while the control group underwent iodine disinfection with gauze coverage. Pain intensity during the second dressing change was assessed using the Chinese version of the Children′s Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale (CHEOPS). Wound healing at 6-7 days post-suturing was evaluated using the Chinese version of the redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation (REEDA) scale. Scar appearance at 14 days was measured via the Stony Brook scar evaluation scale (SBSES). Complication rates (infection, dehiscence) and satisfaction rates were statistically analyzed. Results:During the second dressing change, the CHEOPS score was significantly lower in the study group (6.27±1.32) than that in the control group (6.89±1.21) ( P=0.001). At 6-7 days, the REEDA score in the study group (2.26±1.91) was significantly lower than that in the control group (3.07±2.13) ( P=0.008). At 14 days, the SBSES score was significantly lower in the study group [2.60±1.42) vs (3.89±1.50), P<0.001]. The infection rate was 1.09% (1/91) in the study group and 1.12% (1/89) in the control group, with two cases of epidermal dehiscence observed in the control group. The satisfaction rate in the study group was 93.41% (85/91), which was higher than that in the control group [85.49% (76/89), P=0.020]. Conclusion:Saline cleaning combined with erythromycin ointment coverage reduces pain during wound dressing change, facilitates early wound healing, and improves patient′s satisfaction.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection in enhancing chin aesthetics.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with suboptimal chin aesthetics who underwent dual-plane BTX-A injection at Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between August 2023 and March 2024. Prior to injection, patients were instructed to repeatedly pucker their lips forward and upward to identify the most prominent points of the mentalis muscle for injection. A 13 mm 30 G needle was inserted perpendicularly into the muscle layer, and BTX-A was administered at a concentration of 20 U/ml, with 3 U per injection point. For the patients exhibiting significant orange peel signs at rest, intradermal deep-layer BTX-A injection was concurrently performed at a concentration of 5 U/ml, with 0.5 U per linear track. Postoperative follow-up was conducted, and third-party physicians assessed pre- and post-treatment photographs using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) (scores ranging from 5 to 1, representing worse, no improvement, mild improvement, moderate improvement, and significant improvement, respectively). Patient satisfaction was also surveyed [categorized as very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied; satisfaction rate = (very satisfied + satisfied) cases/total cases × 100%], along with their willingness to undergo repeated injections and recommend the procedure to others. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 24.0 software. Normally distributed continuous data were expressed as Mean±SD, and categorical data were expressed as counts (%).Results:A total of 120 patients were included, comprising 11 males and 109 females, aged 22-39 years (mean age of 33.3 years). Follow-up ranged from 1 to 5 months (mean of 1.3 months). Postoperatively, 102 patients reported subjective improvement in chin appearance, characterized by enhanced fullness and roundness of the chin. Thirty-one patients noted a slight elevation of the submental fat pad and improved definition of the cervicomental angle. The mean GAIS score was 1.61±0.78, with 76 cases scoring 1, 24 cases scoring 2, 10 cases scoring 3, and 10 cases scoring 4. Improvement (scores 1-3) was achieved in 91.7% (110/120) of patients. The subjective satisfaction rate was 85.0% (102/120), and 94 patients (78.3%) expressed willingness to undergo repeated injections and recommend the procedure to family or friends. Early postoperative complications included localized bruising in 17 cases, which was resolved within 10 d, and transient fine motor dysfunction of the lower jaw in 23 cases, with normal chewing, swallowing, and facial expressions, all of which were resolved completely within 6 weeks. No cases of mouth deviation, facial paralysis, allergic reactions, or other complications were observed.Conclusion:The application of BTX-A via intramuscular mentalis injection combined with intradermal deep-layer injection significantly improves both dynamic and static chin aesthetics. However, some common complications also ask for the further attention of practitioners.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of two-point localized injection of the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle combined with pan-platysma microbotox injection of botulinum toxin type A for improving the aesthetic of mouth corner.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from patients who received concomitant DAO localized injection and pan-platysma microbotox of botulinum toxin type A for improving drooping mouth corners at the Facial and Neck Plastic Surgery Center and the Limb and Scar Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, between December 2022 and June 2025. Botulinum toxin type A was reconstituted to two concentrations: 40 U/ml and 20 U/ml for the combined injection. Patients were instructed to repeatedly perform upward puckering motions to identify the trapezoidal outline of the DAO muscle. Two injection points were uniformly marked slightly medial to the midline of the DAO muscle for dual-target injection (1.5 U each at the middle one-third and lower one-third of the muscle belly). The pan-platysma microbotox for the platysma muscle extended superiorly to a line parallel and 3-4 cm above the mandibular border, innerly to 1 cm beyond the lateral edge of the DAO muscle, inferiorly to the submental area and the anterior neck region above the clavicle, and laterally to the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The injection dose was 0.6 U per point, with 1 cm spacing between points, administered at the superficial subcutaneous layer. Complications were recorded. At 1-month postoperatively, efficacy was evaluated using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS, scores ranging from 5 to 1, representing "much worse" to "very much improved" ) and subjective patient satisfaction (categorized as very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied; satisfaction rate was calculated as the percentage of patients reporting very satisfied or satisfied among the total). Patients’ willingness to receive the same treatment in the future was also surveyed. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.Results:A total of 21 patients were included (1 male, 20 females), with a mean age of (37.1±3.2) years (range: 34-45 years). The treatment procedures were successful. Post-treatment, 4 cases experienced pain and swelling, 8 had neck ecchymosis, and 1 had temporary asymmetry in mouth corner movement, all of which resolved within 2 weeks. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 6 months (mean: 1.4 months). At short-term follow-up (4-6 weeks after treatment), patients reported a skin "tightening" sensation in the lower face and neck region, noting significant improvement in lower facial and neck contour, sharper bilateral jawlines, and reduced neck wrinkles. Drooping mouth corners were improved. The satisfaction survey showed that 17 patients were "very satisfied" and 5 were "satisfied", resultsing in a subjective satisfaction rate of 100%. Nineteen patients (90.5%) expressed willingness to undergo repeat treatment. The mean GAIS score was 1.45±0.69, with 14 patients achieving "very much improved", 5 patients "much improved", and 2 patients "improved" .Conclusion:The combination of two-point localized injection of the DAO muscle and pan-platysma microbotox injection of botulinum toxin into the platysma muscle effectively improve the aesthetic of mouth corners and lower facial contour through synergistic middle and superficial layer treatment. This approach aligns with anatomical and physiological merits and offers advantages such as minimal invasiveness and rapid recovery, making it applicable for patients with early signs of lower facial aging.

Objective:To investigate the effect and safety of the double-cross dressing technique for composite rhytidectomy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on a total of 121 patients with face and neck ageing, who were admitted to the Facial and Neck Plastic Surgery Center, the Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 2020 to May 2023, all female with the age ranged 34-72 years old. All the patients underwent a full facial and neck composite rhytidectomy. Immediately after surgery, a double-cross bandaging was applied. The cotton pad was nested on the outer auricle, so that the front of the ear and the back of the ear were the first cross. This cross aimed to accurately pressurized the temporal, buccal region and postauricle flap. The second cross occurred at the radix. It secured composite tissue flap at the zygomatic arch and the buccal fat pad zone. Patient′s external auricle was not compressed after bandaging. The healing and the occurrence of complications were observed.Results:All the patients were satisfied with the comfort of the bandaging, the satisfied rate was 100% (121/121). All the patients had different degrees of periocular and perioral swelling 72 hours after surgery. Conjunctival edema and xanthochromia occurred in 30 patients, and oral mucosal congestion occurred in 25 patients, all of which were spontaneously resolved 2-4 weeks after surgery. Postoperative nursing was easily managed. There were no events such as dressing loosening, blocked draining tubes, and difficulty in replacing tubes. All the patients were followed up for 3-12 months after surgery, the flap in the postauricular area of all patients healed well, and there were no adverse complications such as wound infection, necrosis of the flap in the operative area, and delayed healing of the incision.Conclusion:The double-cross bandaging technique achieves the comfort bandaging and good protection of the face, which is safe and effective.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of two dressing methods on wound healing and patient satisfaction after cosmetic suturing for pediatric facial trauma.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at Dongying People′s Hospital from October 2022 to October 2023. A total of 180 pediatric patients [105 males, 75 females, aged 3-7 (3.9±1.4) years] with facial trauma requiring cosmetic suturing were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly divided into the study group ( n=91) and control group ( n=89) using a random number table. During the first postoperative dressing change at 24 hours, the study group received saline cleaning followed by erythromycin ointment coverage, while the control group underwent iodine disinfection with gauze coverage. Pain intensity during the second dressing change was assessed using the Chinese version of the Children′s Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale (CHEOPS). Wound healing at 6-7 days post-suturing was evaluated using the Chinese version of the redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation (REEDA) scale. Scar appearance at 14 days was measured via the Stony Brook scar evaluation scale (SBSES). Complication rates (infection, dehiscence) and satisfaction rates were statistically analyzed. Results:During the second dressing change, the CHEOPS score was significantly lower in the study group (6.27±1.32) than that in the control group (6.89±1.21) ( P=0.001). At 6-7 days, the REEDA score in the study group (2.26±1.91) was significantly lower than that in the control group (3.07±2.13) ( P=0.008). At 14 days, the SBSES score was significantly lower in the study group [2.60±1.42) vs (3.89±1.50), P<0.001]. The infection rate was 1.09% (1/91) in the study group and 1.12% (1/89) in the control group, with two cases of epidermal dehiscence observed in the control group. The satisfaction rate in the study group was 93.41% (85/91), which was higher than that in the control group [85.49% (76/89), P=0.020]. Conclusion:Saline cleaning combined with erythromycin ointment coverage reduces pain during wound dressing change, facilitates early wound healing, and improves patient′s satisfaction.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection in enhancing chin aesthetics.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with suboptimal chin aesthetics who underwent dual-plane BTX-A injection at Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between August 2023 and March 2024. Prior to injection, patients were instructed to repeatedly pucker their lips forward and upward to identify the most prominent points of the mentalis muscle for injection. A 13 mm 30 G needle was inserted perpendicularly into the muscle layer, and BTX-A was administered at a concentration of 20 U/ml, with 3 U per injection point. For the patients exhibiting significant orange peel signs at rest, intradermal deep-layer BTX-A injection was concurrently performed at a concentration of 5 U/ml, with 0.5 U per linear track. Postoperative follow-up was conducted, and third-party physicians assessed pre- and post-treatment photographs using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) (scores ranging from 5 to 1, representing worse, no improvement, mild improvement, moderate improvement, and significant improvement, respectively). Patient satisfaction was also surveyed [categorized as very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied; satisfaction rate = (very satisfied + satisfied) cases/total cases × 100%], along with their willingness to undergo repeated injections and recommend the procedure to others. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 24.0 software. Normally distributed continuous data were expressed as Mean±SD, and categorical data were expressed as counts (%).Results:A total of 120 patients were included, comprising 11 males and 109 females, aged 22-39 years (mean age of 33.3 years). Follow-up ranged from 1 to 5 months (mean of 1.3 months). Postoperatively, 102 patients reported subjective improvement in chin appearance, characterized by enhanced fullness and roundness of the chin. Thirty-one patients noted a slight elevation of the submental fat pad and improved definition of the cervicomental angle. The mean GAIS score was 1.61±0.78, with 76 cases scoring 1, 24 cases scoring 2, 10 cases scoring 3, and 10 cases scoring 4. Improvement (scores 1-3) was achieved in 91.7% (110/120) of patients. The subjective satisfaction rate was 85.0% (102/120), and 94 patients (78.3%) expressed willingness to undergo repeated injections and recommend the procedure to family or friends. Early postoperative complications included localized bruising in 17 cases, which was resolved within 10 d, and transient fine motor dysfunction of the lower jaw in 23 cases, with normal chewing, swallowing, and facial expressions, all of which were resolved completely within 6 weeks. No cases of mouth deviation, facial paralysis, allergic reactions, or other complications were observed.Conclusion:The application of BTX-A via intramuscular mentalis injection combined with intradermal deep-layer injection significantly improves both dynamic and static chin aesthetics. However, some common complications also ask for the further attention of practitioners.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique in the treatment of alar reduction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients who underwent alar reduction from February 2019 to June 2022. A spindle-shaped incision line was designed along the outer edge of the base of the nasal lobule, with a width of 4-5 mm and a length of 8-12 mm. The incision line was 1-2 mm away from the alar groove, and the inner side of the design line was extended to the inside of the nasal vestibule. After the incision was made, the subcutaneous tissue was undermining dissected with curved sharp scissors, and the shape of the extended excision tissue was similar to that of jujube core. After reduction, the incision was closed with vertical mattress suture. The surgical effect and complications were followed up after surgery, and an independent attending plastic surgeon evaluated the outcome and scarring based on photos before and at the last postoperative follow-up using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and the Vancouver scar scale (VSS). GAIS is graded as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 points, and the lower the score, the better the improvement(≤3 points as effective improvement). VSS includes four parameters: color (0-3 points), thickness (0-4 points), vascular distribution (0-3 points), and softness (0-5 points). The higher the score, the more significant the scar is.Results:A total of 20 patients were enrolled, including 6 males and 14 females, aged 20 to 33 years, with an average age of 24.9 years. Before the operation, there were different degrees of alar flare and alar hypertrophy. After surgery, 13 patients had mild swelling, ecchymosis, which resolved after 3 days. There were no major complications as infection, incision dehiscence, and delayed healing. After 3 to 16 months of postoperative follow-up, 2 patients gradually developed cartilage deformation and affected the appearance of the nostrils 6 to 9 months after surgery due to the combination of rib-based rhinoplasty, and the satisfactory results were obtained after revision surgery. The symmetry of the nostrils was significantly improved. The GAIS score of 20 patients was (1.20±0.41) points, of which, 16 patients were rated as 1 point and 4 patients were rated as 2 points, all of which met the improvement criteria, and the VSS score was (1.45±0.60) points, in which the average score for color, thickness, vasculature and compliance are 0.60, 0.05, 0.55 and 0.30 points respectively.Conclusion:The application of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique for alar reduction can increase the amount of tissue removal with the same incision width, which can not only fully narrow the alar effectively but also correct the hypertrophy of the alar tissue.

Facial rhytidectomy is one of the most complex and unpredictable procedures in the field of cosmetic and plastic surgery, aiming to rejuvenate the face. The facial rejuvenation surgery began in the early 20th century. The purpose of the surgery is to alleviate the aging characteristics of the skin, fascia, fat and other tissues of the face and neck by surgical means. In China, due to historical development and other factors, it started late. From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, Song Yeguang and other pioneers took the lead in venturing into this field. With the significant growth of the economy and the increasing attention from both medical professionals and marketing to cosmetic surgery, surgeons in this era have made substantial contributions to the systematic and standardized advancement of rhytidectomy surgery. However, with the understanding of the aging process of the face and the in-depth study of the changes in the anatomy and tissue structure of the face and neck, surgical techniques have evolved from simple to complex, and gradually improving over time. Through long-term observation of the surgical outcomes, the surgical technique has evolved from complex to simple. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the evolution of rhytidectomy in China by reviewing the literature from previous years.