Overview
An endoscopic approach reaches deeper facial structures with less dissection. The authors followed patients who chose either an upper two-thirds face lift, using a minimal endoscopic approach with blepharoplasty, or a full face lift with deep SMAS dissection. Visits continued up to 12 months, with standardized checks of sensory nerve function, the House-Brackmann scale for motor nerves, and the FACE-Q questionnaire for satisfaction.
Findings
- 35 patients had a facial rejuvenation procedure.
- Procedure choice followed patient preference: upper two-thirds endoscopic lift with blepharoplasty, or full face lift.
- Sensory nerve disturbances resolved in all but 1 case.
- All motor nerve disturbances resolved by 12 months.
- Other visible side effects had nearly disappeared by 12 months; 1 case of lasting tightness and 1 of alopecia remained.
- FACE-Q satisfaction: overall median Rasch score 76 for facial appearance and 73 for surgical results.
- The abstract does not give results separately for the two approaches.
What it means for a patient
- Nerve problems after these procedures were mostly temporary; motor nerve problems all cleared by 12 months.
- At 12 months, 1 patient still had a sensory nerve problem, 1 had tightness and 1 had hair loss.
- Patients rated their appearance and results highly on a standard questionnaire.
- Limits: 35 patients, no random assignment, 12-month follow-up, and no breakdown by technique in the abstract.
Why this paper matters
It reports nerve recovery and satisfaction over 12 months after endoscopic facial rejuvenation using standard scales. The authors conclude endoscopic facial surgery is safe with few complications.
Terms
- Endoscopic approach: surgery through small openings using a thin camera and instruments.
- Upper two-thirds face lift: a lift of the upper and middle parts of the face.
- Blepharoplasty: eyelid surgery.
- SMAS: the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, a fibrous and muscle layer under the facial fat.
- House-Brackmann classification: a standard grading scale for facial nerve movement.
- FACE-Q: a standard questionnaire for patient-reported results of facial procedures.
- Rasch score: a 0 to 100 score converted from FACE-Q answers; higher is better.
- Alopecia: hair loss.