V-Scar Lift: An Innovative Technique for Treating the Lower Third of the Face and the Upper Neck.

[BACKGROUND] A novel minimally invasive surgical technique is proposed to treat the contour of the lower face, jowls and upper neck. The procedure is mainly used in patients who wish to undergo less extended surgery, with minimal scarring and less downtime.

[METHODS] In the described technique, a V-shaped incision is made between the middle of the tragus and the insertion point of the posterior auricular muscle at the back of the auricle. The incision goes around the earlobe. The skin in a radius of 4 cm around the earlobe is undermined with Metzenbaum or Solz scissors. The platysma below the mandibular angle is also undermined 3-4 cm. Then, we plicate the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) with permanent sutures. The excess skin is excised, and the final skin sutures are made. No drains are placed.

[RESULTS] The technique was successfully applied to 132 consecutive patients over a period of 2.5 years. There was no downtime, no pain and no facial edema after the operation in the majority of the patients. No major complications occurred during the follow-up period. The satisfaction of most patients was extremely high. A follow-up of at least 2 years after the operation indicates the long-lasting results of the operation.

[CONCLUSION] The authors present a simple, effective and safe approach to correct soft tissue ptosis and skin laxity in the lower third of the face and upper neck. General anesthesia is not required, there is no downtime, patient discomfort is minimal, there are very few complications and the results are satisfactory.

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