Long-term efficacy of anchored barbed sutures in the face and neck.
BACKGROUND
The thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses barbed sutures, inserted subcutaneously, to produce lifting of ptotic tissue of the face and neck. There are currently very limited data on longevity and patient satisfaction following barbed suture lifting procedures.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess long-term efficacy following the use of barbed sutures.


METHODS
A satisfaction survey was mailed to 20 patients who were a minimum of 6 months (range, 6 to 16 months) postprocedure. Physician assessment of pre- and postprocedure photographs was also performed.


RESULTS
At an average of 11.5 months postprocedure, patients felt that the barbed suture lift met their expectations, rating their satisfaction a 6.9 on a scale of 1 to 10. Independent physicians rated the overall improvement an average of 4.6 of 10. Higher scores were noted in Zone 1 (tear trough/malar fat pad and nasolabial folds) compared to Zone 2 (marionette lines, jowls, and jawline definition) and Zone 3 (platysmal bands and neck contour).


CONCLUSIONS
The barbed suture lift procedure provides moderate long-term and sustained improvement for facial laxity, with most improvement seen in the tear trough/malar fat pads and nasolabial folds. In this study, clinical efficacy was seen up to 16 months postprocedure.
Kaminer
Michael S
MS
Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hannover, New Hampshire, USA. mkaminer@skincarephysicians.net
Bogart
Megan
M
Choi
Christine
C
Wee
Sue Ann
SA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome