title: A Comparison of the Full and Short-Scar Face-Lift Incision Techniques in Multiple Sets of Identical Twins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Choosing the ideal face-lift technique for a patient presents an added challenge for the plastic surgeon. With the multitude of well-established variations of this procedure, it would be beneficial to define which facioplasty technique produces the optimal result. By comparing the postoperative results from two of the most popularized face-lift incision techniques in monozygotic twins, it is hypothesized that the "best" technique may be determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four sets of identical twins and one set of identical triplets underwent face-lift surgery performed by the senior author (D.E.A.). Incision technique selection was randomized, with the first-born twin undergoing the full-incision operation. Short- and long-term postoperative photographs were taken at approximately 1 and 5 years and subsequently graded by eight board-certified plastic surgeons with over 100 years of combined experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data obtained from this study suggest that no difference between these incisions exists at the shorter term follow-up. However, analysis of the long-term follow-up revealed a significant difference between the average scores assigned to the neck region, with the full-incision technique receiving a higher score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that at the short-term follow-up, both the short-scar and full-incision techniques yield comparable results. However, at the longer term follow-up, a significant difference appears between the two procedures exclusively in the neck region. Although a shorter incision is appealing to the patient and surgeon, this study suggests that the full incision may offer a superior long-term result in the neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, II.
authors.affiliation: New York and Hempstead, N.Y.|From the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center (Mount Sinai West); Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine; Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
authors.forename: Darrick E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Antell
authors.affiliation: New York and Hempstead, N.Y.|From the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center (Mount Sinai West); Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine; Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: May
authors.affiliation: New York and Hempstead, N.Y.|From the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center (Mount Sinai West); Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine; Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bonnano
authors.affiliation: New York and Hempstead, N.Y.|From the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center (Mount Sinai West); Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine; Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
authors.forename: Norman Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic