Barbed sutures: a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Despite substantial mention in the popular press, there is little in the plastic surgery or dermatology literature regarding the safety, efficacy, longevity, or complications of barbed suture suspension procedures. The authors review the literature to estimate several clinical parameters pertaining to barbed thread suspensions.


METHODS
The authors performed a MEDLINE search using the keywords "barbed and suture," "thread and suspension," "Aptos," "Featherlift," and "Contour Thread."


RESULTS
The authors identified six studies that met their criteria of addressing midface elevation with barbed thread suspension. These detected some adverse events, but most of these were minor, self-limited, and of short duration. Less clear are the data on the extent of the peak correction and the longevity of effect. Objective outcome measures and long-term follow-up data were not provided in a systematic manner in the few available studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Suspension of the aging face with barbed sutures offers the promise of a minimally invasive technique with diminished adverse events. The technique is in its infancy, but it has potential to be a useful and effective clinical tool as further innovations are made in the clinic and laboratory.
Villa
Mark T
MT
Chicago, Ill. From the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Chicago, and the Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University.
White
Lucile E
LE
Alam
Murad
M
Yoo
Simon S
SS
Walton
Robert L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011126:Polypropylenes; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015595:Skin Aging; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes