SMASectomy Facelift Complications and Long-Term Outcomes | Dr. Daniel Gould

Dr. Daniel Gould co-authored this study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, evaluating the benefits, risks, and complications associated with the SMASectomy technique in facelift surgery over a 15-year period.

The superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS, is an important structural layer addressed during facelift surgery. SMASectomy involves removing and repositioning a portion of this tissue to improve facial contour and provide durable rejuvenation while managing the deeper structures of the face.

The researchers retrospectively reviewed 241 facelift patients treated between December 2004 and March 2019, examining patient characteristics, surgical techniques, operative and anesthesia times, and postoperative complications.

Among patients who underwent SMASectomy, the study found significantly shorter operative and anesthesia times compared with patients treated without SMASectomy. Importantly, no facial nerve injuries or deep vein thrombosis events were observed within the SMASectomy group.

The findings support SMASectomy as an effective facelift technique when performed by an experienced surgeon, with the potential to achieve favorable, long-lasting aesthetic outcomes while reducing time spent in surgery and under anesthesia. The research adds long-term clinical data to the broader understanding of SMAS-based facial rejuvenation techniques.