| Abstract: | PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the complication rate and the clinical results of the platysma interlocking suture sling for rhytidectomy patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the first part of this study, the charts and photographs of 29 patients who underwent rhytidectomy with the platysma interlocking suture sling were reviewed for complications. The parameters included infection, rupture of the sutures, extrusion of the sutures, prolonged tightness around the neck, and nerve injury. In the second part, the patients' neck deformities were classified into three types: mild (type 1), moderate (type 2), and severe (type 3). The changes in the preoperative and postoperative cervicomental angles were compared between the patients who underwent rhytidectomies with the platysma interlocking suture sling (group 1) and those patients who underwent rhytidectomies only (group 2). RESULTS: The complication rate was found to be minimal. Only one case of prolonged tightness around the neck was noted; there was no other complication. All of the patients, regardless of neck classifications, benefited from rhytidectomy, whether or not the platysma interlocking suture sling was used. However, when comparisons were made between group 1 and group 2 patients in their specific neck deformity categories, it was found that the patients with the severe (type 3) neck deformity benefited most when the platysma interlocking suture sling was used in conjunction with the rhytidectomy procedure. CONCLUSION: The platysma interlocking suture sling has a low morbidity rate and is helpful in reconstruction of patients with the type 3 neck deformity. |
