title: Combined use of ultrasound-assisted liposuction and limited-incision platysmaplasty for treatment of the aging neck.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many techniques have been introduced for the surgical treatment of the aging neck. In this study the combination therapy of ultrasound-assisted liposuction and limited-incision platysmaplasty for cervicofacial rejuvenation is presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen female patients (age = 43-75 years) were treated for grade II-III (n = 2), III (n = 6), and grade IV (n = 7) cervicomental angle deformity. The outcome of surgery was retrospectively evaluated by a panel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasonic energy was applied for an average of 2 min (range = 45 s-6.5 min). The mean aspiration volume was 125 ml. No immediate or delayed adjuvant skin reduction was needed in any of the patients. No complications were encountered in this series. After treatment significant improvement of the cervicomental angle was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For treatment of all grades of the aging neck we advocate the combination of UAL and limited-incision platysmaplasty. This combination therapy has little morbidity and leads uniformly to significant improvement of the cervicomental angle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.rooijens@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Patrick P G M
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Rooijens
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Zweep
authors.forename: Werner H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Beekman
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D009426:Netherlands; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015595:Skin Aging; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014465:Ultrasonics