[Medical Today] Facial Contouring Revision Surgery Sees Increased Consultations in Winter... Rather Than Excessive Resection

[Medical Today = Reporter Park Seong-ha] With winter approaching, the number of patients considering revision facial contouring surgery is increasing.

Because this season offers a relatively ample recovery period and less concern about being exposed to the outside world, demand for checking previous facial contouring surgery results and considering improvements is rising.

In particular, as more cases involve dissatisfaction due to excessive contour reduction, facial asymmetry, or sagging, an approach that considers the harmony and balance of the entire face rather than simple revision surgery is becoming more important. Accordingly, recent facial contouring revision surgery is shifting away from simply reshaping the face again and toward balancing the facial line while preserving it.

The main reasons for considering facial contouring revision surgery include facial asymmetry after square jaw surgery, cheekbone reduction surgery, or chin surgery (left-right cheekbone and jawline asymmetry), excessive resection, chin deformity, and changes that fall short of expectations. In addition, there are not few cases in which revision surgery is needed due to functional problems such as inflammation, hematoma, or nerve abnormalities.

Director Jo Dong-pil

Because facial contouring revision surgery is performed based on bones and soft tissue that have already been altered, it requires more precise diagnosis and planning than general facial contouring surgery.

Through 3D-CT analysis and detailed measurements, the remaining bone condition, facial proportions, and occlusal relationship are comprehensively checked. For patients with accompanying jaw position or bite problems, combining revision facial contouring surgery with two-jaw surgery may also be considered.

The revision approach can also vary depending on the results of previous facial contouring procedures such as square jaw surgery, cheekbone reduction surgery, and chin surgery.

If the jawline is unnatural or asymmetric after prior square jaw surgery, the remaining mandibular angle is analyzed and balance is adjusted with minor osteotomy or implants.

If the frontal effect was insufficient, cortical osteotomy or masseter reduction may be performed together to create a slimmer appearance.

If the cheekbones are excessively flattened or asymmetry occurs after cheekbone reduction surgery, protruding areas are supplemented and re-fixed based on the skeletal structure, and if necessary, implants are used to improve harmony in the facial contour. Chin surgery can also adjust the facial midline naturally through resection and repositioning when the length or angle is not correct and the face appears stronger or left-right imbalance occurs.

In particular, when changes in jaw position or occlusal imbalance are observed during facial contouring revision surgery, combining two-jaw surgery to improve contour while enhancing functional stability can more effectively improve facial proportions and three-dimensionality.

However, this is not applied to all patients, and it is carefully considered only when necessity is determined through precise diagnosis.

As such, facial contouring revision surgery is regarded as a high-difficulty procedure that does not simply reshape bone, but redesigns an area that has already undergone surgery once to match the overall facial proportions and balance. Since bone that has been removed once cannot be restored, more meticulous and accurate 3D-CT analysis than in the first surgery, confirmation of nerve position, checking soft tissue thickness and occlusal status, and a thorough review of previous surgical records are essential. When choosing a hospital for facial contouring revision surgery, it is important to comprehensively examine revision experience, diagnostic precision, and surgical safety systems.

Director Jo Dong-pil of AB Plastic Surgery said, "Facial contouring revision surgery is not simply reworking a previous surgery, but a process of redesigning the overall facial proportions and balance," adding, "Rather than excessive resection, the key is to use the remaining structure to bring out a natural, three-dimensional look."

He added, "Revision surgery requires a customized approach that comprehensively considers each patient's facial structure and current condition," and "Above all, the most important thing is to know enough about the first surgery and make a careful decision so that facial contouring revision surgery is not needed, because once bone is removed it cannot be restored, and revision surgery itself is a highly difficult process."

Source: https://mdtoday.co.kr/news/view/1065573802315711