Study reveals positive long-term effects of new facelift technique in comparison to autologous fat transfers

Jun 30 2015

Patients striving to look younger for longer can now benefit from the same great results in fewer surgical procedures and at a lower cost. To support this, Dr. Andrew Jacono, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Director of the New York Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery, reveals original data in the July 2015 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal on the positive long-term effects of a new minimal access (small incision) facelift technique in comparison to autologous fat transfers.

This new technique, the vertical vector deep plane facelift, restores significant volume to the midface region (cheek area from the lower eyelids to the nose and the corner of the mouth) without the addition of any injectable filler or grafted fat.

To measure volume changes in the midface, Dr. Jacono conducted a three year study on patients undergoing vertical vector deep plane facelifts. Using Vectra M3's 3D photography imaging software, volume change was recorded on each patient at a minimum follow up of one year. Results were compared to the volume correction attained after autologous fat grafting to the midface.

On average, 3.2mL of increased volume was achieved in each patient's cheek region at 23 months after undergoing the vertical vector deep plane facelift. This is the same volume correction attained by the injection of three vials of hyaluronic acid filler into each cheek, demonstrating that, by repositioning the drooping cheek fat compartments in the inferior midface, the vertical vector deep plane facelift restores cheek volume lost with aging.

"With these results comes a direct benefit for the patient," says Dr. Jacono. "Utilizing this modified face-lifting technique may eliminate the need for recurrent injectable fillers and simultaneous fat grafting in a large percentage of cases. As a result, the patient has to undergo fewer procedures and potentially less cost."

Despite the rising trend of fat grafting procedures in aging face surgery, there remains inconsistency of results and unreliable outcomes necessitating multiple revision procedures. The survival rates of grafted fat have been reported to be highly variable, ranging anywhere from 40 to 80 percent.

"While autologous fat grafting is a powerful tool in aging face surgery, I do believe it yields the best results when paired with a facelift that targets the midface," said Dr. Jacono. "When autologous fat grafting is performed alone, the fullness of the drooping cheeks is not actually lifted, so the addition of fat above this widened area can result in an overly-filled appearance. This is commonly seen in celebrities and on the streets of NYC and LA."

SOURCE New York Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery