OBJECTIFICATION OF THE ASSESSMENT OF INVOLUTIONAL CHANGES IN THE FACE AND NECK

Abstract. Objective. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Merz scale for assessing structural changes in the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the face and neck in order to objectify involutional changes and develop a profile of domestic female patients seeking plastic surgery consultations. Materials and Methods. The study involved the examination of 210 female patients with involutional changes in the face and neck. The Merz scale was used to objectify structural changes in the upper third of the face. The Merz scale was applied to assess changes in the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the face, as well as the neck. Results. Among the domestic patients who sought aesthetic surgery consultations, the upper third of the face was the least problematic area. The total aesthetic score for the middle third of the face, according to the Merz scale, was (9.75±3.74), and the total aesthetic score for the lower third of the face and neck was (23.31±7.98). Conclusions. The total aesthetic score for the face and neck in domestic patients seeking aesthetic surgery for the correction of problematic areas was (48.53±15.81) (range 12-79, median 49, Q1 39, Q3 62, IQR 23, CA -0.18). The use of the Merz scale to objectify the results of surgical correction of involutional changes in the face and neck appears promising for future research.