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CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2016; 43(02): 181-188
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2016.43.2.181
Original Article

A Modified, Direct Neck Lift Technique: The Cervical Wave-Plasty

Fereydoun Don Parsa
Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Hawai'i, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI, USA
,
Nikki Castel
University of Hawai'i, John A. BURNS School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI, USA
,
Natalie Niloufar Parsa
Department of Family Practice, University of Hawai'i, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI, USA
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Background Major problems with cervicoplasty by direct skin excision include the subjective nature of skin markings preoperatively and the confusing array of procedures offered. This technique incorporates curved incisions, resulting in a wave-like scar, which is why the procedure is called a "wave-plasty".

Methods This prospective study includes 37 patients who underwent wave-plasty procedures from 2004 to 2015. Skin pinching technique was used to mark the anterior neck preoperatively in a reproducible fashion. Intra-operatively, redundant skin was excised, along with excess fat when necessary, and closed to form a wave-shaped scar. Patients were asked to follow up at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 6 months after surgery.

Results The mean operation time was 70.8 minutes. The majority (81.3%) was satisfied with their progress. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being the worst, and 10 being the best), the scars were objectively graded on average 5.5 when viewed from the front and 7.3 when seen from the side 6 months after surgery. Complications consisted of one partial wound dehiscence (2.3%), one incidence of hypertrophic scarring (2.3%), and two cases of under-resection requiring revision (5.4%).

Conclusions In select patients, surgical rejuvenation of the neck may be obtained through wave-like incisions to remove redundant cervical skin when other options are not available. The technique is reproducible, easily teachable and carries low morbidity and high patient satisfaction in carefully chosen patients.

Keywords

Cervicoplasty - Neck - Rejuvenation


Publication History

Received: 21 August 2015

Accepted: 19 October 2015

Article published online:
20 April 2022

© 2016. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, permitting unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

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