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BACKGROUND: Recognition of the effects of aging on the ear and the mechanisms leading to ear deformity associated with facelift procedures aid in achieving improved aesthetic results. In 2009, the author developed a novel rhytidectomy technique to provide more natural-looking results than those achieved through other facelift procedures, which often result in facial and ear distortion/deformity. This technique is designed to optimize aesthetic outcomes by employing incisions hidden within the ear, autologous fat transfer to restore normally lost facial volume, and absorbable bidirectional sutures, all of which allow less skin removal and shorter, more concealable scars within the inside perimeter of the ear, and thus less-distorted facial contours. In this retrospective study, the author added one important modification to this previously described approach for preventing ear deformity. OBJECTIVES: The author will show that this modified rhytidectomy technique has many benefits over a traditional rhytidectomy, and it results in a natural-looking facelift. METHODS: The author modified the original technique to secure the ears in a way that prevents inferior drifting. The modified technique involves the placement of two parallel strands of 3-0 Monocryl sutures under the scalp and over the skull and running from one side of the head to the other side using a 6-inch blunt needle. The absorbable strands are passed from the inferior part of each earlobe-one in front of the ear and the other in back of the ear. The strands are tied with knots under moderate tension under each earlobe, securing the ear back in the anatomical preoperative position. This secures the bottom of the ears and prevents caudal drifting. DISCUSSION: The use of 360° round-block, inside-the-ear incisions is advantageous. These incisions have much less lymphatic derangement of the skin, because the overall cut is shorter and the skin is not cut as extensively as in other methods that use longer incisions to get rid of more excess skin in facelifts. RESULTS: This modified rhytidectomy technique has many benefits over a traditional rhytidectomy: the incisions are hidden inside the ears, so there are almost no visible external incisions, and there is no deformity of the ears and earlobes, because the ears do not drift downward. The ear canal is not distorted, there is no hairline distortion, and most importantly, it results in a natural-looking facelift without the commonly seen deformity of any noticeable pulling. CONCLUSIONS: This modified approach to rhytidectomy achieves natural looking, aesthetically pleasing results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: 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 .

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BACKGROUND: The telltale signs associated with facelift procedures, including tightening of the lower face (lateral sweep), visible scars, a distorted hairline, and the "pixie ear" deformity are grounds for concern among both patients and aesthetic surgeons. It is the author's belief that facelift results can be improved with correct positioning of the ears, so that these signs are reduced or eliminated altogether. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to study the causes of ear deformity and describe the advantages of the author's technique for the prevention of ear deformities in facelift surgeries. METHODS: Between January 2005 and November 2007, the author performed facelifts on 106 patients using a technique that included autologous fat injections to improve facial volume, hidden incisions in and around the ear, and absorbable bidirectional barbed sutures. Patient charts and photographs were reviewed retrospectively. Pre- and postoperative angles were measured with respect to the ear and face and were documented to determine the degree of improvement or deformity. RESULTS: Significant improvement of the specified angles was noted in 70% of cases following facelift surgery; in these cases, the ear position was elevated. No change in ear position occurred in 10% of cases. Some distortion and lowering of the ear was seen in the remaining cases. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of the effects of aging on the ear and the mechanisms leading to ear deformity associated with facelift procedures can aid in achieving improved aesthetic results. The advantages of the author's technique include shorter incisions, a diminished need to remove redundant skin, ear elevation, and a smoother repair with improved contour. Further investigation of long-term results is necessary.

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Water jet-assisted lipoplasty channels a thin, targeted, fan-shaped jet into adipose tissue to loosen tissue structure and release adipocytes. According to the authors, water jet-assisted lipoplasty facilitates preinfiltration of modified tumescent solution to create analgesia, resulting in painless or near painless lipoplasty. The authors contend that, with this method, patient safety has increased considerably, even in extensive procedures.

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Microcoblation is the application of a controlled high-energy plasma field to intact aging skin. The treatment is nonablative and yields predictable, reversible histological changes in the epidermis, which result in skin rejuvenation. Recovery time and side effects are minimal. Although the mechanism of action is different, patient satisfaction with microcoblation compares very favorably with microdermabrasion, the traditional method of superficial skin rejuvenation.

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