Is masseter muscle resection really necessary for square jaw reduction?

Hello. I’m Dr. Jo Hyun-woo of Obesity Plastic Surgery.

Today, I’d like to explain masseter muscle resection.

When patients visit the clinic and say that their face looks square, it can be divided into cases where the mandibular angle is especially prominent and the bone has a greater effect, and cases where the muscles and fat also have an effect together.

There are also many patients who come in for revision square jaw surgery and, in fact, do not need any further bone shaving.

This is because the effect of square jaw reduction surgery may appear reduced due to the muscle or fat layer.

Today, let’s look at how to reduce these muscles.

The masseter muscle simply refers to the chewing muscle of the jaw.

The most representative way to reduce muscle is Botox.

It is convenient, but in the case of Botox, the effect is temporary because the muscle volume returns after 3 to 4 months.

Also, due to tolerance, the effect may gradually decrease. For this reason, many patients want a method whose effect lasts longer.

There is also a lot of interest in muscle medium-frequency and radiofrequency procedures.

However, if you look at the content on each website, you will see the terms semi-permanent or long-term more often than permanent.

The reason is that methods that paralyze the nerve to the muscle or burn the muscle often have a reduced effect and recur again after about 6 months to 1 year.

Masseter muscle resection is a surgery selectively performed as needed during square jaw reduction surgery.

When performing mandibular angle surgery, the masseter muscle is permanently resected, so there is no risk of recurrence. Also, simply because the muscle is resected, the pain is not severe.

Because it is resected while being directly seen, there is very little risk of bleeding, so it can be considered a safe surgery.

Zygoma reduction surgery, square jaw reduction surgery, masseter muscle resection

In the case of an actual patient, the surgery was performed by combining masseter muscle resection and square jaw reduction.

From the preoperative appearance, the thick-looking muscle was removed, and the square jaw that spread widely to both sides was neatly reduced with a long curved line, allowing us to see an overall slimmer and lighter face.

Therefore, performing masseter muscle resection together with square jaw reduction surgery can be a good option that may lead to better surgical results.

Thank you.