title: Gliding mentoplasty: a new technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of mentoplasty is to improve chin projection. Traditionally, this is accomplished by either mandibular osteotomy or alloplastic implants. However, these procedures are not free of complications. This report describes gliding mentoplasty, a novel, simple technique for chin projection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 12 patients in this study underwent gliding mentoplasty. By means of a 2-cm intraoral incision, a subcutaneous dissection was made in the caudal direction. The dissection then proceeded in the subperiosteal plane, leaving a 1-cm cuff of muscle attached to the bone, and advanced toward the lower border of the chin. Subsequently, the dissection was extended laterally, and the whole mental area was dissected from the surrounding tissue. Three 2-0 monofilament nylon sutures were placed in the submandibular periosteum and connected through the remaining muscle cuff to the periosteum. These key sutures allowed the submandibular region to slide forward, project the subcutaneous tissue and mentalis muscle, define the labiomental fold, and improve the pogonion projection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gliding mentoplasty resulted in a symmetric projection of the chin in all cases. In two patients, a submandibular dimple developed, which spontaneously resolved in 1 month. No revision surgery was performed, and no tissue relapse was noted. The mean follow-up period was 24.7 ± 5.17 months (range 19-33 months). All the patients were satisfied with the result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gliding mentoplasty is a simple, easy-to-perform, rapid surgical technique of chin projection that produces low pain, rapid recovery, and excellent cosmetic results.
  
  
  METHODS
  This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
authors.affiliation: São Paulo State University Julio de Mesquita Filho, UNESP, Rua Domingos Minicucci Filho, 587, Botucatu, São Paulo, 18607-030, Brazil, fv@faustoviterbo.com.br.
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Viterbo
authors.forename: Ryane Schmidt
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Brock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002680:Chin; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D063172:Genioplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult