Download PDF
Facial Plast Surg 2001; 17(2): 117-122
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-17760
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Treatment of Neck Laxity with a Gore-Tex Cervical Sling for Patients with Heavy Neck Tissues

Mark M. Beaty
  • Milton Hall Plastic Surgery, Alpharetta, GA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 October 2001 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

Treatment of neck laxity is a challenging problem for facial plastic surgeons. Many factors may contribute to this problem, including relaxation of the SMAS- platysma complex, excess submental adipose tissue, loss of skin elasticity, and anatomic factors such as hyoid position. Patients with heavy tissues in the neck area are more likely to have disappointing or short-lived results from neck rejuvenation surgery. Placement of an expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) cervical sling provides additional support to the soft tissues of the neck, improving both initial and long-term cervical contours. This method is used in our practice for most patients with heavy neck tissues undergoing lower facial rejuvenation procedures. The cervical sling is well tolerated and provides the additional benefit of easy adjustability should the soft tissues of the neck further relax.

KEYWORD

Heavy neck - facelift - cervical sling

REFERENCES

  • 1 Skoog, T. Plastic Surgery: New Methods and Refinements.  Philadelphia: WB Saunders 1974: 302-330
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 2 Mitz V, Peyronie M. The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) in the parotid and cheek area.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1976;  58 80-88
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Webster R C, Smith R C, Smith K F. Suspending sutures for platysma cording.  Head Neck Surg . 1984;  6 870-879
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Giampapa V C, DiBernardo B E. Neck recontouring with suture suspension and liposuction: an alternative for the early rhytidectomy candidate.  Aesthet Plast Surg . 1995;  19 217-223
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Kamer F M, Letkoff L A. Submental surgery: a graduated approach to the aging neck.  Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg . 1991;  117 40-46
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Kamer F M, Frankel A S. Isolated submentoplasty: a limited approach to the aging neck.  Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg . 1997;  123 66-70
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Guyuron B. Problem neck, hyoid bone, and submental myotomy.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1992;  90 830-837
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Conrad K, Chapnik J S, Reifen E. E-PTFE (Gore-Tex) suspension cervical facial rhytidectomy.  Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg . 1993;  119 694-698
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Prabhat A, Dyer W K. Improving surgery of the aging neck with an adjustable E-PTFE (Gore-Tex) cervical sling.  Arch Fac Plast Surg. In press.
    PubMed
  • 10 Costantino P. Synthetic biomaterials for soft-tissue augmentation and replacement in the head and neck.  Otol Clin North Am . 1994;  27 223-262
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar