Buccal fat pad excision for cheek refinement: A systematic review

Searching for Signs of Plastic Surgery on the Face: Tracking the Eyes of Where Observers Look

Background: Objective measurement of where observers direct their attention to faces when searching for signs of facial plastic surgery (FPS) is currently lacking. Objective: To compare where laypersons direct their attention on facial photographs using eye-tracking software when they are asked to (1) search for signs of aesthetic facial surgery or (2) allowed to gaze without direction (free-gaze). Methods: Naïve observers either free-gazed or examined faces for signs of FPS (FPS-prompted) for 10 s per face while their gaze was recorded by an eye-tracking system. Faces had no known history or signs/stigmata of FPS and were selected from the FACES and CFD databases with a diverse demographic distribution. Gaze times in nine facial subregions were analyzed using mixed-effects linear regression. Results: In FPS-prompted observers (n = 50, mean age 32.7 ± 11.3 years, 23/50 (46%) female), the nose, mouth, cheeks, and forehead experienced the most substantial increases (p < 0.001) and a high percentage of overall gaze time (17.9%, 12.5%, 12.0%, 9.6%, respectively) compared to free-gazing observers [n = 57, 35.5 ± 13.9 years, 31/57 (54%) female]. Conclusions: Observers direct attention differently on a face when searching for signs of plastic surgery with increased attention on the nose, mouth, cheeks, and forehead.

Safe Zones for Facial Fillers: Anatomical Study of SubSMAS Spaces in Asians

The study "Spaces of the Face for Filler Procedures: Identification of subSMAS Spaces Based on Anatomical Study" explores the anatomy of facial spaces crucial for safe and effective filler injections. By delineating the subSMAS (sub-superficial musculoaponeurotic system) spaces, this research highlights how these virtual compartments, bordered by fat, muscles, fascia, and ligaments, facilitate independent muscle movement and reduce the risk of damaging critical structures. The thicker and more robust skin of East Asians necessitates deeper filler injections, emphasizing the significance of accurately identifying these spaces. A cadaver study with dyed gelatin validated the existence and characteristics of these subSMAS spaces, confirming their safety for filler procedures. Key spaces, such as the subgalea-frontalis, interfascial and temporalis, and prezygomatic spaces, were examined, illustrating safe zones for injections. The findings underscore the importance of anatomical knowledge for enhancing facial aesthetics while minimizing complications. This study serves as a guide for clinicians to perform precise and safe filler injections, providing a foundation for further research on the dynamic interactions of these spaces and long-term outcomes.

Volume Redistribution of the Buccal Fat Pad After Reduction Malarplasty

BACKGROUND

During reduction malarplasty, cheek bulging could be found immediately after zygomatic complex is moved inwards, backwards and upwards. As patient is in the supine position during surgery, the effect of gravity is eliminated, so the only reason for the bulge is the redistribution of the soft tissue in the deep facial spaces. The buccal fat pad, with its main body behind the zygomatic arch and buccal extension in the cheek area, is most likely to be responsible for the bulge.

METHODS

3D buccal extension models were reconstructed from preoperative and long-term follow-up CT images and the volume measured. By comparing the pre- and postoperative 3D models, the shape deviation of the buccal extension and facial soft tissue can be identified.

RESULTS

Eleven patients (22 buccal extensions) met the inclusion criteria. Compared with the preoperative buccal extension volume, the postoperative volume increased significantly. By comparing the reconstructed models, the buccal extension volume increase with anteroinferior protrusion can be visually detected, and cheek bulging was clearly identified on the lower face. The bulging area coincided with the projection of the buccal extension on the skin surface.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction malarplasty may cause volume redistribution of the buccal fat pad. Therefore, preoperative assessment of the size of the buccal fat pad based on CT images is recommended. The buccal extension volume increase with anteroinferior protrusion is an important cause of postoperative cheek bulging and should be considered during treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Imaging Features and Complications of Facial Cosmetic Procedures

Facial aesthetic procedures have become increasingly popular and complex, making knowledge of facial anatomy crucial for achieving desired outcomes without complications. Some of the most common procedures include blepharoplasty, bichectomy, face-lifts, facial implants, thread lifting, and fillers. Blepharoplasty and bichectomy are surgical procedures that respectively aim to restore youthful contours to the periorbita and create a slimmer lower face by removing Bichat fat from the maxillofacial region. Facial implants are used for aesthetic augmentation of the skeletal structure and restoration of facial contour by using biomaterials or autogenous bone grafts. Face-lift surgeries involve incisions and removal of excess skin, and thread lifts involve less invasive procedures performed by inserting threads beneath the skin, with the aim to lift the skin and thus reduce wrinkles and sagging. Fillers improve wrinkles and loss of facial volume, with biologic types made from animal, human, or bacterial sources (such as hyaluronic acid), while synthetic fillers include substances such as paraffin, silicone, calcium hydroxyapatite, polymethylmethacrylate microspheres, polyacrylamide hydrogel, hydroxyethyl-ethyl methacrylate, and poly-l-lactic acid. Synthetic fillers can be classified as rapidly resorbable (<12 months), slowly resorbable (<24 months), or permanent. Imaging modalities such as US, CT, and MRI can help identify and analyze each type of facial aesthetic procedure or filler, as well as their possible complications such as foreign-body granuloma, noninflammatory nodule, late intermittent persistent edema, filler migration, infection, or complications after removal of the buccal fat pad. ©RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available through the Online Learning Center The online slide presentation from the RSNA Annual Meeting is available for this article.

The impact of partially removing the Bichat fat pad in the linear facial measurements, satisfaction with facial aesthetics and quality of life: a single-arm CONSORT-guided clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of Bichat's ball removal on postoperative inflammatory parameters (pain, edema, and trismus), facial volume reduction, facial esthetic satisfaction, and oral health-related quality of life.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A single-arm clinical trial with 21 patients undergoing Bichat's ball removal. The following parameters were assessed at baseline and up to 3 months postoperatively: Visual Analogue Scale pain scores (0-10), rescue medication consumption, mouth opening, AM-Tr, AM-CEO, AM-NA, AM-CL, and AM-PM measurements, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 QoL scores, and satisfaction with facial esthetics (FACE-Q Satisfaction with Facial Appearance Overall Scale (SFAOS). X², analysis of variance-repeated measures/Bonferroni, or Friedman/Dunn tests were used (p < 0.05, SPSS v20.0).

RESULTS

Peak pain occurred after 2 h and, 10 h later, the levels returned to baseline values (p < 0.001). Rescue medication consumption peaked in the first 24 h reducing significantly after 72 h (p < 0.001). Mean mouth opening decreased after 24 h and returned to baseline levels after 1 month, and all linear facial measures reduced significantly after 1 or 3 months (p < 0.05). OHIP-14 scores and FACE-Q SFAOS scores showed significant improvement after 1 month (p < 0.001), but patients aged > 25 years showed a significant reduction in FACE-Q SFAOS at the end of the study (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical removal of the Bichat's ball induces a mild inflammatory process controlled by rescue medication, significantly reduces face volume, and improves QoL and satisfaction with facial esthetics 3 months postoperatively. However, the efficacy of this procedure in patients > 25 years old is questionable.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Evaluate the effectiveness of bichectomy in terms of clinical effects and impact on quality of life.

Artrodesis de articulación interfalángica proximal en enfermedad de Dupuytren: Una revisión sistemática cualitativa

Introducción La enfermedad de Dupuytren (ED) se caracteriza por una alta tendencia a la recidiva. Las reintervenciones asocian elevado riesgo de complicaciones, incrementado tras cada cirugía. En contracturas graves y recidivantes, con insuficiencia vascular o mala calidad tisular, nuevas fasciectomías pueden estar contraindicadas por el riesgo de comprometer gravemente la viabilidad cutánea. En estos casos, artrodesar la articulación interfalángica proximal (IFP) es una alternativa a la amputación. La artrodesis también es una alternativa en aquellas contracturas que asocien artrosis o artrofibrosis de la articulación IFP. El limitado conocimiento sobre esta intervención se justifica por su escasa frecuencia. Realizamos una revisión sistemática cualitativa de resultados y complicaciones de artrodesis de la articulación IFP del segundo al quinto dedos en adultos con ED.

Materiales y Métodos Según la declaración de los Ítems Preferidos de Reporte para Revisiones Sistemáticas y Metanálisis (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, PRISMA, en inglés), desarrollamos una búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed, Embase y Cochrane Library. Evaluamos el riesgo de sesgo mediante la Escala de Newcastle-Ottawa modificada. Junto a variables intra y preoperatorias y complicaciones, se registró las mejorías funcional y del dolor, y el grado de satisfacción.

Resultados Para esta revisión sistemática, se seleccionaron 4 series de casos, con 65 pacientes y 71 artrodesis. No evidenciamos mejorías significativas en términos de dolor o funcionalidad, pero sí un alto grado de satisfacción en todos los estudios. El 11,3% de las complicaciones incluyó una necrosis cutánea, pero ninguna lesión vascular o nerviosa.

Conclusión Pese a no demostrar mejoría en dolor o funcionalidad, este procedimiento asocia alto grado de satisfacción y muy baja tasa de afectación cutánea o de lesiones vasculares o nerviosas. El nivel de evidencia sobre resultados y complicaciones es bajo.