Patient and surgeon experience with the endotine forehead device for brow and forehead lift.
OBJECTIVE
: To report our experience with the Endotine forehead fixation device (Coapt Systems, Palo Alto, CA, U.S.A.), a bioabsorbable fixation method for forehead and brow lift.


METHODS
: Retrospective noncomparative case series of 31 patients who underwent forehead and brow lift surgery using the Endotine device in a single center during a 12-month period from 2004 to 2005.


RESULTS
A mean brow lift of 2.8 mm (SD, 0.2-7.1 mm) was achieved. There were no cases of recurrence during the follow-up period of 4 months to 22 months. Problems encountered included palpability, tenderness, and numbness. In the majority of cases, these symptoms resolved within a few months and were not troublesome to the patient. Other problems included visible lumps, device mobility, and exacerbation of a high hairline. Patient satisfaction was high, with 95.3% of patients saying they were either happy or very happy with the results; 81% of patients said they would recommend the Endotine as a method of fixation. All surgeons were pleased by the lift achieved and felt the device was easy to use. Problems reported by the surgeons included 1 dislocated device, discomfort, palpability beyond 15 months, a lack of lateral compared with central lift, and cost. Two of the 3 surgeons are still using the Endotine device as the preferred method of fixation.


CONCLUSIONS
: The Endotine device is effective, safe, and easy to use, and has high patient satisfaction. Problems included numbness, tenderness, and palpability. A preference for other fixation methods was indicated by some because of cost, length of surgery, and the amount of lift achieved.
Chowdhury
Sharmin
S
Corneo Plastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom.
Malhotra
Raman
R
Smith
Roger
R
Arnstein
Peter
P
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005138:Eyebrows; D005260:Female; D005546:Forehead / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials