The two-stage concept of rhytidectomy.

Over a two-year period, 258 rhytidectomy procedures were performed. Fifty-six patients (21.7%) required a secondary procedure. A thorough survey of these patients is in progress and will be reported at a later date. An early analysis shows that the secondary office surgery is neither time-consuming, difficult, nor disabling. It appears to be a relatively simple, painless, and effective method to minimize three causes of patient dissatisfaction with face-lifting surgery.