Abstract
A prominent mandible that gives a squared face in Asians is considered unattractive
as it imparts a coarse and masculine image. Mandibular contouring surgery allows slender
oval faces. The purpose of conventional mandible reduction is to make the lower face
appear slim in frontal view and to have a smooth contour in lateral view. As shaping
the lateral contour of the mandible alone may result in minimal improvement in the
frontal view, surgical techniques to reduce the width of the lower face through narrowing
genioplasty (i.e., the “V-line” surgery) and sagittal resection of the lateral cortex
should be combined. Examination of the shape and symmetry, the relationship between
the maxilla and the mandible, understanding overlying soft tissue contribution, and
understanding the overall balance of the face are mandatory. An important factor influencing
ideal facial shape is patient's personal preference, which is often influenced by
his/her ethnic and cultural background. Especially when consulting patients of different
nationalities or ethnic backgrounds, careful attention should be paid to the patient's
aesthetic sensibility regarding the ideal or desirable facial shape. Narrowing the
chin and modification of chin shape can be accomplished by narrowing genioplasty with
central strip resection. This midsymphyseal sectioning procedure yields safe and very
satisfactory results. This procedure not only augments the narrowing effect by leaving
soft tissues attached to the bone but also enables modification of chin shape by altering
the shape of resection. The surgeon should customize the surgery based on a comprehensive
assessment of the patient's preoperative chin and mandible morphology complemented
by an assessment of their aesthetic goals.
Keywords
facial bone contouring - mandible reduction - lower face contouring - V-line surgery
