Neck Lift Procedures: Trampoline Platysmaplasty a Safer Alternative to Corset Platysmaplasty for Neck Rejuvenation

Neck lifts have become increasingly popular in the world today. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), in 2016 there were 29,685 neck lift procedures performed in the United States alone. It brings back ‘life’ and serves to rejuvenate the neck and face in succession. Platysmaplasty in particular is a procedure that lifts and tightens the platysma muscles. The lower face is connected to the collarbones by a thin strip of platysma muscles, the procedure serves to eliminate the sagging that comes due to sagging, decreased collagen production, or other issues. In order to treat the neck’s many structural elements, ranging from skin and subcutaneous tissues to deeper muscular and glandular systems, numerous treatments have been offered. Of the various techniques and procedures, corset platysmaplasty seems to be popular. This procedure was first described by Feldman in 1988. It is a surgical procedure that involves tightening and joining the platysma muscles at the midline to eliminate sagging and revive contour.

Platysma

Corset platysmaplasty as an option

Modern neck rejuvenation surgeries involve platysma manipulation in a way. The platysma muscle is “corsetted” using this technique to take on a more sculpted appearance. The left and right platysma muscles are sutured together using the “corset” pattern. The platysma is a flat sheet of muscle located on each side of the neck and is separated in the midline into two distinct parts. It connects the lower face to the collar bones. As we advance in age, the face starts to lose its volume via the loss of fat and collagen. The facial skin sags and the skin on the neck in particular dangles due to the fat loss and reduced collagen production. Procedures like platysmaplasty are used to correct these. Some young people who develop neck-related cosmetic issues early in life get to desire these procedures.

During the procedure, a horizontal incision is made in the skin. The two sides of the muscle are joined or sutured together with a continuous monofilament suture that is run up and down the center of the neck until the desired effect is gotten. This generates a single muscle sheet that improves the definition of the jawline and neck and is resistant to the development of neck bands. Fat removal could also be done simultaneously to remove larger amounts than what is removed during liposuction. This procedure is complex, time-consuming, and could come with varying side effects. Negative effects like hematoma and nerve injury could complicate things. Oedema, infections, and necrosis of the skin are common features of these complications. Nerve injury could lead to weakness, pain, and numbness. When a corset platysmaplasty is all that is done without superior and lateral support, there is a chance that the platysma will descend, which could lead to treatment failure. Also, patients could experience unbearable tightness in their necks weeks after the surgery. Some surgeons don’t do corset platysmaplasty as an isolated operation due to the significant amount of extra skin, therefore a facelift is done concomitantly. This has made surgeons look for better and safer ways to repair the issue of the split neck.

Other approaches are beneficial

The debate rages on regarding the best method to revitalize the aging neck. Other ways could be explored to make the cosmetic refining process more desirable and effective. Trampoline platysmaplasty is one of them. This is a new innovative way of tightening the neck with minimal risks, though this procedure has been around for a while. This involves fat removal which precedes a neck elevation by a support system made up of sutures to give a more youthful appearance. All these are done via a small incision under the skin which is usually less than one inch in length.

The trampoline platysmaplasty(TPP) is a percutaneous suture suspension approach. Here, a nonabsorbable suture matrix is built in the subcutaneous region and placed on the surface of the platysma muscle. Through a series of tiny punctures along the lateral jawline and beneath the chin, the suture strands are inserted, creating a structure that resembles a shoelace and acts as a ‘trampoline’. The retaining ligaments like platysma auricular ligaments, mandibular ligaments, and mesenteric ligaments provide lateral support to the matrix.

This procedure is achieved with specialized light-emitting diode(LED) equipment. The LED provides transillumination for easy visibility. It enables the surgeon to successfully create the support system in the plane between the platysma muscle and overlaying neck skin thereby allowing for precision in determining the depth and direction of travel.

The trampoline platysmaplasty is unique from other conventional procedures in that it includes a continuous elastic, dynamic support matrix that covers the entire region beneath the jawline. This technique can improve genetically predetermined neck shapes. It also doesn’t require the cutting or excision of glands to achieve results. Because of this, neck rejuvenation surgery leads to fewer contour defects. It is regarded as a minimally invasive surgical procedure that follows anatomical and surgical principles.

Conclusion

A person’s entire appearance is improved by a neckline with a sense of sophistication that is smooth and graceful. Unfortunately, some methods are not enough to achieve this satisfactorily. The discovery of new and even more efficient methods could prove useful.