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Facial Plast Surg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2404-1995
Original Research

Rhytidectomy Incision Techniques and Scar Outcomes: A Scoping Review

Katherine Y. Liu
1   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
,
David W. Chou 
2   Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
,
Hannah Verma
1   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
,
Gavneet Sehgal
3   Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York
,
Jill K. Gregory
4   Medical Illustration Department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
,
Sunder Gidumal
1   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
,
Solomon Husain
1   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
,
Theda C. Kontis
5   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Manoj T. Abraham
1   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
6   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
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Abstract

Although scar outcomes in rhytidectomy are crucial to patients and surgeons alike, there is a lack of consensus on incision techniques for optimizing rhytidectomy scars. A comprehensive scoping review of the literature was performed on rhytidectomy incision techniques and associated scar outcomes.

The PRISMA protocol was utilized to conduct a scoping review of the literature through MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index databases to identify articles discussing rhytidectomy incision techniques and scar outcomes.

A total of 49 studies were included in this scoping review. Four themes were identified related to rhytidectomy scars within these studies: temporal incision placement, tragal incision placement, lobule management, and postauricular incision design. Techniques within each theme were described and reported scar outcomes summarized.

There are many approaches to rhytidectomy incisions described in the literature, with reportedly low rates of scar complications for each of the techniques described. It cannot be elucidated which techniques are superior due to the heterogeneity of outcomes reported in the literature with significant variability in outcome measures, study design, and follow-up time. Future studies should focus on utilizing a standardized rating system to aid in objective determination of the superiority of one technique versus another.

Level of Evidence: Level I

Keywords

rhytidectomy - facelift - scar


Publication History

Accepted Manuscript online:
27 August 2024

Article published online:
07 October 2024

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