Management of the Midface During Facial Rejuvenation

Abstract

The endoscopic midface lift procedure has evolved from experience with postreduction soft tissue repair after facial fracture fixation. The procedure elevates and repositions midface soft tissue, which descends with facial aging; as well, it can correct periorbital congenital abnormalities, such as exorbitism and lateral canthal displacement. The procedure has been refined by the senior author to employ a temporal endoscopic approach alleviating the need for a lower eyelid incision. The plane is sub-SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) within the pre-zygomatic space with release of the zygo-orbicular ligament and the malar retaining ligament. Using an endoscopically placed suture in the malar retaining ligament, the midface and orbicularis oculi are elevated en bloc, with additional selective sutures applied for specific lower eyelid and cheek morphology. Ancillary lower eyelid procedures including skin resurfacing, skin excision, soft tissue augmentation, and a transblepharoplasty septal reset can all be safely applied to the lower eyelid in the same operative setting. All procedures are technically advanced though once executed deliver an exact correction of the midface, which can be combined with both brow and lower face rejuvenation. The procedure offers limited recovery time and few complications as the facial surgeon becomes facile with the technique.