Medial approximation of the platysma muscle in the treatment of neck deformities.

The platysma muscle has become recognized as a key to the correction of deformities of the neck. We believe that the decussation of the medial fibers of the platysma muscle is critical to the support of the submental region and is a factor in the pleasing angle between the neck and the chin. The approximation of the medial borders of the platysma has been described in combination with other direct approaches to the anterior neck or with aggressive repositioning or flaps of the platysma. We have achieved pleasing results in the treatment of neck deformities in a variety of clinical situations by medial approximation of the platysma through a short submental incision without other manipulations of the platysma and without complications in 45 patients. All have been followed for more than 1 year.