title: Long-term efficacy of anchored barbed sutures in the face and neck.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hannover, New Hampshire, USA. mkaminer@skincarephysicians.net
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kaminer
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bogart
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sue Ann
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wee
mesh_terms: 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