Objective:To discuss the clinical effect of the modified rhytidectomy technique with biplanar progressive tension-reducing and suture suspension using barbed sutures in the treatment of middle and lower facial sagging.Methods:The clinical data of patients with middle and lower facial sagging treated in Hangzhou Yichao Medical Aesthetics Clinic from February 2021 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The operation was performed using barbed sutures to progressively reduce tension and suspend sutures of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The skin tissue flap was separated from the superficial layer of SMAS with temporal hairline to peri-auricular incision. Firstly, the sagging SMAS and the zygomatic fat pad were fixed to the deep temporal fascia by purse-string suture with barbed sutures, and then the sagging skin and subcutaneous tissue were progressively fixed to the corresponding SMAS at multiple points to the incision direction to improve the middle and lower facial relaxation and reduce the incision tension as much as possible. The nasolabial groove of the patients was scored (0-4) before surgery and 12 months after surgery to evaluate the surgical effect. The higher the score, the more serious the nasolabial groove depression was. Meanwhile, the postoperative recovery, complications and satisfaction of the patients were observed and followed up. SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze the data. Preoperative and postoperative nasolabial groove scores were represented by Mean±SD, and paired t-test was used for comparison. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 23 patients were included, including 4 males and 19 females. They ranged in age from 42 to 68, with an average age of 54.0. All patients showed varying degrees of middle and lower facial relaxation and nasolabial groove deepening. Nasolabial groove score was (3.6±0.5) points. One patient had mild hematoma on the second day after surgery, which subsided after suction and compression, then the facial swelling basically subsided about 7 days after the operation. After 12-17 months of follow-up (mean 13.2 months), the middle and lower facial relaxation and nasolabial depression of 23 patients were significantly improved. No serious complications such as facial nerve injury occurred in all patients, and postoperative scars were not obvious. The nasolabial groove score at 12 months after the operation was (2.0±0.6) points, which was significantly lower than that before the operation ( t=14.81, P<0.001). The patient satisfaction rate was 95.7%(22/23). Conclusion:The modified rhytidectomy technique with biplanar progressive tension-reducing and suture suspension using barbed sutures avoids deep dissection, and has simple operation, low complications, fast recovery. The relaxation of middle and lower face can be significantly improved, and the long-term effect is stable.

Objective:To discuss the clinical effect of the modified rhytidectomy technique with biplanar progressive tension-reducing and suture suspension using barbed sutures in the treatment of middle and lower facial sagging.Methods:The clinical data of patients with middle and lower facial sagging treated in Hangzhou Yichao Medical Aesthetics Clinic from February 2021 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The operation was performed using barbed sutures to progressively reduce tension and suspend sutures of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The skin tissue flap was separated from the superficial layer of SMAS with temporal hairline to peri-auricular incision. Firstly, the sagging SMAS and the zygomatic fat pad were fixed to the deep temporal fascia by purse-string suture with barbed sutures, and then the sagging skin and subcutaneous tissue were progressively fixed to the corresponding SMAS at multiple points to the incision direction to improve the middle and lower facial relaxation and reduce the incision tension as much as possible. The nasolabial groove of the patients was scored (0-4) before surgery and 12 months after surgery to evaluate the surgical effect. The higher the score, the more serious the nasolabial groove depression was. Meanwhile, the postoperative recovery, complications and satisfaction of the patients were observed and followed up. SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze the data. Preoperative and postoperative nasolabial groove scores were represented by Mean±SD, and paired t-test was used for comparison. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 23 patients were included, including 4 males and 19 females. They ranged in age from 42 to 68, with an average age of 54.0. All patients showed varying degrees of middle and lower facial relaxation and nasolabial groove deepening. Nasolabial groove score was (3.6±0.5) points. One patient had mild hematoma on the second day after surgery, which subsided after suction and compression, then the facial swelling basically subsided about 7 days after the operation. After 12-17 months of follow-up (mean 13.2 months), the middle and lower facial relaxation and nasolabial depression of 23 patients were significantly improved. No serious complications such as facial nerve injury occurred in all patients, and postoperative scars were not obvious. The nasolabial groove score at 12 months after the operation was (2.0±0.6) points, which was significantly lower than that before the operation ( t=14.81, P<0.001). The patient satisfaction rate was 95.7%(22/23). Conclusion:The modified rhytidectomy technique with biplanar progressive tension-reducing and suture suspension using barbed sutures avoids deep dissection, and has simple operation, low complications, fast recovery. The relaxation of middle and lower face can be significantly improved, and the long-term effect is stable.