A Review of “Regenerative Facial Surgery” Book by Authors Steven R. Cohen, Tunc Tiryaki, Patrick L. Tonnard, and Alexis M. Verpaele

Reviewing the book on regenerative facial plastic surgery by the authors S. R. Cohen, T. Tiryaki, P. L. Tonnard, and A. M. Verpaele was a pleasure. This book addresses some of the most recent advancements in the field of facial plastic surgery. The book starts with a chapter discussing the “paradigm shift in the dynamic management of ageing tissues”. It emphasizes with references that regenerative therapies have the potential to reduce the rate of ageing and, in some circumstances, reverse age-related changes. The second chapter discusses the physiology of facial ageing, highlighting that ptosis of the face has been found not to occur from global gravitational descent but rather from deflation of specific fat pad compartments and other tissues.

Chapter three discusses regenerative medicine with the physiology of fat and associated components in detail. For the novice reader, the subsection on definitions and related theories with reference to fat grafting techniques: milli fat, micro and nano fat, as well as discussion of SVF (stromal vascular fraction) and SVM (stromal vascular matrix) and hybrid SVF together with the role of ASCs (adipocyte stem cells), provides an update. The current theories on fat graft survival, including patient selection, are discussed. For those unfamiliar with PRP, the regenerative medicine section discusses this in some detail with the role of different platelet-derived products and evidence for application in various clinical situations, including atrophic acne scars and androgenic alopecia, etc.

Chapter five references the role of exosomes in aesthetic practice from the origin of nano-particle theory that began with Charles Darwin in 1869 to the current concept of using exosomes. The uses in aesthetic medicine for wound healing, optimization of treatment of burns, scar therapy, as well as ageing skin, etc. are included. Table 5.1 lays out various uses meticulously and makes it easier for the reader to follow the use with future use of exosomes generally discussed.

Chapter six focuses on clinical applications of regenerative medicine using a facial subunit approach. Each of these is backed up by case studies to help understand the indications and outcomes of the procedure. Chapter seven focuses on facial rejuvenation with the hybrid facelift, with multiplanar fat grafting and the critical aspects of patient selection with an algorithm for the facial rejuvenation technique preferred by the author. The use of sutures for neck-lift is discussed, which is gaining popularity. The final chapter discusses skin care programs which include retinoic acid, vitamin C, as well as the use of neurotoxin together with resurfacing and sculpture using nano-fat.

Generally speaking, having read through the book, this is a beautifully written book that brings experience and insight into combining surgical and nonsurgical procedures and all the other techniques available to us that can change patient outcomes considerably. Each chapter is well written and, of course, well referenced, which helps the inquisitive reader not only to analyze the contents but also derive their conclusions. The most important aspect, however, is the videos that accompany and complement the written material.

I highly recommend this book to young as well as experienced surgeons and nonsurgical aesthetic doctors of all levels and experience, as there is something very valuable to be gained by everyone in this book.

Publication History

Accepted Manuscript online:
15 September 2023

Article published online:
09 October 2023