title: Removal of facial soft tissue ptosis with special threads.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Facial aging leads to loss of structural integrity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a means of supporting ptotic facial tissue without facelifting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Polypropyline sutures were modified by designing many dents along their lengths. These "APTOS" threads hold tissue firmly because of the sharp edges to the dents. These threads were used to lift facial tissue in 186 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  APTOS threads proved successful in lifting various ptotic areas of the face, improving facial contour. Improvement persisted in most patients with follow-up of two months to 30 months. In four patient (2.5%) the thread failed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lifting facial tissues using APTOS threads is simple, constructive, and time-saving. It avoids scars and the need for implants.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, TOTALCharm, Moscow, Russia. gracia@orc.ru
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sulamanidze
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Paikidze
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Sulamanidze
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles; D011126:Polypropylenes; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D015595:Skin Aging; D013536:Suture Techniques
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes