title: Hemiface rhytidectomy.
abstract: In the current study, skin flaps raised in the subcutaneous plane were applied for 22 patients who underwent reconstruction for unilateral upper facial skin defects after skin tumor surgery. The defect was reconstructed with flaps designed via procedures similar to classic rhytidectomy techniques using periauricular and temporal skin incisions. Objective assessment of the aesthetic result was possible by comparison with the healthy contralateral side of the face. Immediate postoperative evaluation confirmed facial asymmetry due to unilateral skin tension. High patient acceptance of the procedure, uneventful flap healing, and good aesthetic results were achieved, with almost complete restoration of facial symmetry 1 year postoperatively. In conclusion, unilateral rhytidectomy without plication or resection of the subcutaneous musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is an ideal application of aesthetic surgical techniques for the reconstruction of unilateral skin defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital of Basel, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. daniel@drkalbermatten.com
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Kalbermatten
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erba
authors.forename: Reto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wettstein
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pierer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004954:Esthetics; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery