title: Preoperative Risk Factors and Complication Rates in Facelift: Analysis of 11,300 Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Facelift (rhytidectomy) is a prominent technique for facial rejuvenation with 126 713 performed in the United States in 2014. Current literature on facelift complications is inconclusive and derives from retrospective studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study reports the incidence and risk factors of major complications following facelift in a large, prospective, multi-center database. It compares complications of facelifts done alone or in combination with other cosmetic surgical procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort of patients undergoing facelift between 2008 and 2013 was identified from the CosmetAssure database. Primary outcome was occurrence of major complications, defined as complications requiring emergency room (ER) visit, hospital admission, or reoperation within 30 days of the procedure. Univariate and multivariate analysis evaluated risk factors including age, gender, BMI, smoking, diabetes, combined procedures, and type of surgical facility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 129 007 patients enrolled in CosmetAssure, 11 300 (8.8%) underwent facelifts. Facelift cohort had more males (8.8%), diabetics (2.7%), elderly (mean age 59.2 years) and obese (38.5%) induviduals, but fewer smokers (4.8%). Combined procedures accounted for 57.4% of facelifts. Facelifts had a 1.8% complication rate, similar to the rate of 2% associated to other cosmetic surgeries. Hematoma (1.1%) and infection (0.3%) were most common. Combined procedures had up to 3.7% complication rate compared to 1.5% in facelifts alone. Male gender (relative risk 3.9) and type of facility (relative risk 2.6) were independent predictors of hematoma. Combined procedures (relative risk 3.5) and BMI ≥ 25 (relative risk 2.8) increased infection risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rhytidectomy is a very safe procedure in the hands of board-certified plastic surgeons. Hematoma and infection are the most common major complications. Male gender, BMI ≥ 25, and combined procedures are independent risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2: Risk.
authors.affiliation: Drs Gupta and Winocour are Plastic Surgery Fellows, Mr Shi is a Medical Student, Dr Shack is a Professor and Chairman, and Dr Higdon is an Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. Dr Grotting is a Clinical Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; and CME/MOC Section Editor for Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
authors.forename: Varun
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Drs Gupta and Winocour are Plastic Surgery Fellows, Mr Shi is a Medical Student, Dr Shack is a Professor and Chairman, and Dr Higdon is an Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. Dr Grotting is a Clinical Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; and CME/MOC Section Editor for Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winocour
authors.affiliation: Drs Gupta and Winocour are Plastic Surgery Fellows, Mr Shi is a Medical Student, Dr Shack is a Professor and Chairman, and Dr Higdon is an Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. Dr Grotting is a Clinical Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; and CME/MOC Section Editor for Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
authors.forename: Hanyuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Drs Gupta and Winocour are Plastic Surgery Fellows, Mr Shi is a Medical Student, Dr Shack is a Professor and Chairman, and Dr Higdon is an Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. Dr Grotting is a Clinical Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; and CME/MOC Section Editor for Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
authors.forename: R Bruce
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Shack
authors.affiliation: Drs Gupta and Winocour are Plastic Surgery Fellows, Mr Shi is a Medical Student, Dr Shack is a Professor and Chairman, and Dr Higdon is an Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. Dr Grotting is a Clinical Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; and CME/MOC Section Editor for Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Grotting
authors.affiliation: Drs Gupta and Winocour are Plastic Surgery Fellows, Mr Shi is a Medical Student, Dr Shack is a Professor and Chairman, and Dr Higdon is an Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. Dr Grotting is a Clinical Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; and CME/MOC Section Editor for Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
authors.forename: K Kye
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Higdon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology