Simultaneous facelift and carbon dioxide laser resurfacing: a safe technique?

A modified facelifting technique with simultaneous carbon dioxide laser resurfacing makes for improved quality of the overlying skin, which enhances the effect of repositioning of the deep facial structures. Concerns have been expressed with regard to complications which may occur when this approach to facelifting is used. This paper presents guidelines which, if observed, allow this procedure to be performed safely in terms of laser skin injury. Over 100 patients have been treated using this combined technique, frequently with the addition of further ancillary procedures. Patient follow-up ranged from 1 to 36 months and showed none of the feared complications to have occurred. This combined approach has improved the results achieved previously by either technique used on its own. In addition, it saves time for both patient and surgeon, and apart from redness, the postoperative recovery period is similar. This technique requires patient education and a postoperative team effort by surgeon, nurse, and aesthetician. Experience has shown that this is a safe procedure which can produce good results with the proper pre- and postoperative management.