Post-operative hilotherapy in SMAS-based facelift surgery: A prospective, randomised, controlled trial

Evidence of Hematoma Prevention After Facelift

Hematoma is a common complication after facelift procedures. Multiple factors have been shown to increase the risk of hematoma formation, such as male gender, anticoagulant medication use, perioperative hypertension, increased intrathoracic pressure, and operative technique. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an overview of existing literature to provide surgeons with evidence-based recommendations on how to minimize hematoma risk during facelift surgery. A literature search for hematoma and facelift surgery was performed that identified 478 unique manuscripts. Abstracts were reviewed, excluding articles not describing facelift surgery, those written before 1970, studies with a sample size of fewer than 5 patients, non-English studies, and those that did not provide postoperative hematoma rates. Forty-five articles were included in this text, with their recommendations. Measures such as the prophylactic management of pain, nausea, and hypertension, the use of fibrin glue tissue sealants, the use of local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, and strict blood pressure control of at least <140 mmHg were found to significantly reduce hematoma formation. Quilting sutures has shown benefit in some high-risk patients. Measures such as drains, compression dressings, perioperative use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and perioperative steroids had no significant effect on hematoma formation. In addition to appropriate patient selection and careful intraoperative hemostasis, many adjunct measures have been shown to reduce postoperative hematoma formation in facelift procedures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3

Methods for Minimizing Bleeding in Facelift Surgery: An Evidence-based Review

INTRODUCTION

Bleeding and hematoma remain leading causes of postoperative complications and unsatisfactory patient outcomes in facelift surgery. Several methods have been implemented, and continue to be developed, to minimize bleeding in facelift surgery. These methods include perioperative blood pressure management, compression dressings, drains, tissue sealants, wetting solution infiltrate, and tranexamic acid.

METHODS

An evidence-based review of methods used to minimize bleeding in facelift surgery was conducted using the PubMed database according to PRISMA guidelines. Included studies were evaluated for the effects of implemented methods on bleeding outcomes in facelift surgery. Recommendations for each method evaluated were determined based on the amount, level, and heterogeneity of included studies.

RESULTS

Thirty-six studies were included in the evidence-based review. Effective strategies to reduce the time to hemostasis, postoperative drainage volume, and hematoma rate included perioperative blood pressure management, tissue sealants, and tranexamic acid. While the use of drains or wetting solution infiltrate did not demonstrate to significantly influence bleeding outcome measures, these methods may provide other advantages to facelift surgery. Compression dressings have not demonstrated a significant effect on facelift outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative medical management of blood pressure, tissue sealants, and tranexamic acid are most effective in facilitating hemostasis and preventing postoperative hematoma in facelift surgery.

Effects of Water-Circulating Cooling Mask on Postoperative Outcomes in Orthognathic Surgery and Facial Trauma

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of hilotherapy on postoperative pain, swelling, neurosensory impairment and patient satisfaction. The authors analyzed RCTs comparing the use of hilotherapy versus conventional cryotherapy or no cold treatment for orthognathic surgery and repair of facial trauma. The authors assessed the risk of bias and strength of evidence according to the Cochrane guidelines and GRADE rating system, respectively. Treatment effects were defined as weighted or standardized mean difference using the inverse variance method. Five RCTs were included. Postoperative pain and swelling in patients using hilotherapy were lower comparing to the control group in the postoperative day 2 (Pain: MD -1.75, CI 95% -2.69 to -0.81; Swelling: MD -21.16 mL, CI 95% -38.91 to -3.41) and in the final evaluation (Pain: MD -0.31, CI 95% -0.44 to -0.18; MD -4.45 mL, CI 95% -7.87 to -1.03). Patients reported higher satisfaction with hilotherapy, but no differences were found for neurosensory impairment. Current evidence suggests that hilotherapy is effective in reducing postoperative pain and swelling in orthognathic surgery and repair of facial fractures and may lead to improvements in patient satisfaction in the recovery phase.

Ten Tips Based on Anatomy and Design to Refine Face and Neck Lift Surgery

Any face/neck lift operation has a natural flow of slower and speedier portions; slower when dissecting under the superficial musculoaponeurotic system and around nerves while faster during opening, undermining, defatting, and closing. Surgeons can maximize efficiency with these simple maneuvers.

Acute Pain Management Following Facial Plastic Surgery

Facial plastic surgery, including septorhinoplasty, aging face procedures, otoplasty, and oculoplastic procedures, has varying levels of evidence for the management of acute pain after surgery. This article discusses the available evidence in these procedures and discusses the authors' recommendations for the treatment of postoperative pain, with a focus on decreasing the reliance on opioid pain medication.

A Meta-Analysis of Complication Rates Among Different SMAS Facelift Techniques

BACKGROUND

Sub-superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) rhytidectomy techniques are considered to have a higher complication profile, especially for facial nerve injury, compared with less invasive SMAS techniques. This results in surgeons avoiding sub-SMAS dissection.

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to aggregate and summarize data on complications among different SMAS facelift techniques.

METHODS

A broad systematic search was performed. All included studies: (1) described a SMAS facelifting technique categorized as SMAS plication, SMASectomy/imbrication, SMAS flap, high lateral SMAS flap, deep plane, and composite; and (2) reported the number of postoperative complications in participants. Meta-analysis was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

RESULTS

A total 183 studies were included. High lateral SMAS (1.85%) and composite rhytidectomy (1.52%) had the highest rates of temporary nerve injury and were the only techniques to show a statistically significant difference compared with SMAS plication (odds ratio [OR] = 2.71 and 2.22, respectively, P < 0.05). Risk of permanent injury did not differ among techniques. An increase in major hematoma was found for the deep plane (1.22%, OR = 1.67, P < 0.05) and SMAS imbrication (1.92%, OR = 2.65, P < 0.01). Skin necrosis was higher with the SMAS flap (1.57%, OR = 2.29, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There are statistically significant differences in complication rates between SMAS facelifting techniques for temporary facial nerve injury, hematoma, seroma, necrosis, and infection. Technique should be selected based on quality of results and not the complication profile.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2

Effect of a domiciliary facial cooling system on generic quality of life after removal of mandibular third molars

To evaluate quality of life (QoL) and patients' perceptions of a domiciliary facial cooling system (Hilotherm^®, Hilotherapy UK Ltd, Coventry, UK), we asked 30 patients to complete a paper-based EQ-5D-3L QoL questionnaire (EuroQol Group 1990, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) each day for seven days after the removal of mandibular third molars. They were returned by 14 of the 20 patients who had not used the system and by all 10 who had. Patients aged between 18 and 25 who had their teeth removed in outpatients (in accordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines) under general anaesthesia (American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II) and did not smoke, were included. They were all treated by the same surgeon in the day surgery unit of a district general hospital. Patients found the system helpful and easy to use. They had no complications, their QoL was significantly improved (p<0.001), and the time taken to return to normal activities was reduced. The Hilotherm^® domiciliary facial cooling system is safe and helps in the management of postoperative pain and swelling. Our findings confirm recently published meta-analyses that show the effectiveness of hilotherapy after facial surgery.

Three-dimensional evaluation of postoperative swelling in treatment of zygomatic bone fractures using two different cooling therapy methods: a randomized, observer-blind, prospective study

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment and complications in patients with zygomatic bone fractures can lead to a significant degree of tissue trauma resulting in common postoperative symptoms and types of pain, facial swelling and functional impairment. Beneficial effects of local cold treatment on postoperative swelling, edema, pain, inflammation, and hemorrhage, as well as the reduction of metabolism, bleeding and hematomas, have been described.The aim of this study was to compare postoperative cooling therapy applied through the use of cooling compresses with the water-circulating cooling face mask manufactured by Hilotherm in terms of beneficial impact on postoperative facial swelling, pain, eye motility, diplopia, neurological complaints and patient satisfaction.

METHODS

Forty-two patients were selected for treatment of unilateral zygomatic bone fractures and were divided randomly to one of two treatments: either a Hilotherm cooling face mask or conventional cooling compresses. Cooling was initiated as soon as possible after surgery until postoperative day 3 and was applied continuously for 12 hours daily. Facial swelling was quantified through a three-dimensional optical scanning technique. Furthermore, pain, neurological complaints, eye motility, diplopia and patient satisfaction were observed for each patient.

RESULTS

Patients receiving a cooling therapy by Hilotherm demonstrated significantly less facial swelling, less pain, reduced limitation of eye motility and diplopia, fewer neurological complaints and were more satisfied compared to patients receiving conventional cooling therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Hilotherapy is more efficient in managing postoperative swelling and pain after treatment of unilateral zygomatic bone fractures than conventional cooling.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register ID: DRKS00004846.