Face-lifts were performed for 257 women with a mean age of 47 years and 59 men with a mean age of 49.5 years. This procedure can be performed for various age groups to rejuvenate and reshape the middle face. Men whose scars cannot be easily hidden due to baldness are good candidates as well. The technique led to stable results and only minor, temporary complications, with a high level of satisfaction among patients and surgeons. The longevity of the results beyond the mean follow-up period of 18 months needs to be determined.
Fibrous tissue around the sutures increased progressively over time, and was most prominent at the level of the nodes. Cones were completely resorbed within 6 months. A reduction in the index of resistance of the suspension sutures occurred over 1 year.
The purpose of this study was to assess the medium-term results of using thread-lift sutures as a means to support soft tissues in facial reconstructive surgery. The rationale for the introduction of this method was to provide support for tissues used in the reconstruction in cases where this would otherwise have been difficult to achieve, or would have demanded major additional surgery in patients already undergoing major surgical procedures. The outcome of the procedure was assessed 12 and 24 months after surgery. Patients were satisfied with the results. Judging from the findings of this study, Silhouette sutures are a valuable asset in facial reconstruction surgery when associated with a scrupulous technique and used for the right indications.
The authors present their minimally invasive gluteopexy technique, using polypropylene 2-0 sutures with 10 absorbable polylactic cones in their distal section (Silhouette Lift, Irvine, California) to improve the anteroposterior projection of the gluteal region. Histological study of the reaction of adipose tissue surrounding the cones previously has shown that, 3 months after insertion of the sutures, fibrous scar tissue is sufficiently developed to resist the weight of the tissues. On the basis of this finding, the authors decided to perform the gluteopexy with sutures, in 2 surgical steps. During the first step, the sutures are inserted in the adipose tissue without any proximal fixation. In the second step, performed 3 months after the first procedure when the fibrous reaction is more solid, the sutures are tightened to obtain the gluteopexy. Among the advantages of this technique are its simplicity, the fact that it produces no traumatic effects, and the fact that it can be performed with local anesthetic, reducing surgical time. It is also possible to combine this procedure with lipofilling or liposuction techniques.
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