Outcome of mid- and lower face lifting using bidirectional cone sutures at 6 months and 1 year

Abstract

Soft tissue ptosis occurs with age, leading to loss of facial volume. The facial retaining ligamentous system is an intricate network of fibrous tissues connecting the whole face, restraining soft tissues from gravitational forces, and opposing facial movements. With proper positioning and anchorage within the ligamentous grid and superficial fat repositioning, lifting the mid-face and adjacent areas (e.g., jowl) is likely to occur. We aimed to determine whether inserting 3 pairs of bidirectional cone sutures can effectively improve the nasolabial fold (mid-face) and jowl (lower face) in Asian patients with mild to moderate mid-face laxity at 6 months and 12 months. Ten healthy volunteers with mild to moderate facial laxity received 3 pairs of bidirectional cone threads, inserted in a straight parallel technique. Based on validated evaluation parameters: facial laxity rating scale (FLRS) and the wrinkle severity rating scale, a total of 7 independent reviewers, among which 3 assessed the change in mid-face laxity (nasolabial fold), and the other 4 reviewers evaluated the change in jowl or lower face contour based on FLRS at 6 months and 12 months. All reviewers were experienced esthetic doctors. According to the reviewers' evaluation based on the validated parameters, there was a linear improvement in the mid-face laxity/nasolabial fold and lower face laxity/jawline contour self-reporting patients' satisfaction at 6 months and 12 months compared to baseline in all 10 patients. There was continuous improvement in mid-face laxity and lower face laxity from baseline, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment. The evaluation results among the reviewers were similar, apart from reviewer 7. All patients gave their best rating at 12 months, and their satisfaction almost doubled compared to that before treatment.