Abstract
BACKGROUND: Face lift surgery has witnessed a significant surge in popularity, particularly in the context of social media influence and heightened aesthetic awareness. METHODS: The preservation face lift technique combines elements of the extended deep plane and high superficial musculoaponeurotic system face lift while adopting a tissue-sparing approach, minimizing skin delamination and preserving deep anatomical structures as much as possible. High-definition neck contouring for mild midline neck laxity is achieved through an innovative technique using lateral platysma purse-string hammock sutures. Deep neck content and submandibular gland resections are typically reserved for cases with moderate to significant neck fullness, requiring a more comprehensive approach to contouring. To further enhance the jawline by increasing the depth of the gonial angle, the lateral superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap is incised, mobilized, and rotated as a pedicled flap along the body of the ramus, resulting in a more defined contour. Through a retrospective analysis of 134 patients undergoing face and neck lift procedures, we compared outcomes between preservation face lift and extended deep plane face lift. RESULTS: Results indicated shorter drainage durations and lower complication rates in the preservation face lift group, underscoring its efficacy and safety. Although our study provides valuable insights into the preservation face lift technique, future research should incorporate objective outcome measures such as patient-reported satisfaction surveys to further elucidate its benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the preservation face lift represents a nuanced approach to face lift surgery, prioritizing both aesthetic refinement and patient safety in pursuit of natural-looking results.