Importance of cervicomental complex treatment in rhytidoplasty.

The classic rhytidoplasty does not resolve the problems of excessive submental fat and muscular flaccidity with ptosis of the supporting muscles of the bottom of the mouth associated with facial aging. Therefore, we have used a technique of submental fat curettage followed by total undermining of the platysma muscle, submental medial myoraphy, and suspension of the submental soft parts in association with rhytidoplasty. Seventy-five patients have undergone this combination technique. Some patients reported constriction in the neck and some difficulty in swallowing for about 2 weeks after surgery, but there were no late or long-term complications.