EVALUATION OF IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM RESULTS OF SURGICAL CORRECTION OF INVOLUTIONAL CHANGES OF THE FACE AND NECK

Abstract. Aim. To compare immediate and long-term results after different approaches to surgical correction of involutional changes of the face and neck. Materials and methods. Deep rhytidectomy was performed in 90 patients. In 15 of them, it was combined with medial plasmaplasty. SMAS rhytidectomy was performed in 120 patients. Among them, 26 patients underwent medial plasmaplasty. The standard assessment of involutional changes in the face/neck was performed using the Merz scale. The result of surgical correction of involutional facial changes was assessed by the GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale). Results. In a comparative analysis of the final score of facial and neck aesthetics according to the Merz scale in patients after SMAS rhytidectomy and deep rhytidectomy, it can be argued that the effect of surgical correction was longer in patients who underwent deep rhytidectomy. A lower final score of face and neck aesthetics after deep rhytidectomy was also noted at visit 2 (21-30 days) and visit 3 (12 months). In a comparative analysis of the GAIS scale at visit 2, the odds of assessing the surgical intervention as an optimal cosmetic result (score 1) were 51% higher after deep rhytidectomy (OR 2.04, 95%, CI 1.16-3.61, p=0.019). Patients after deep rhytidectomy were 42% less likely to receive grade 2 (noticeable improvement in appearance, but not optimal for the patient) (OR 0.58, 95%, CI 0.34-1.02, p=0.076) and grade 3 (obvious improvement in appearance, but additional corrective procedures are needed) by 28% (OR 0.72, 95%, CI 0.30-1.72, p=0.601). Conclusion. The effewas longer in patients who underwent deep rhytidectomy.