Lower face-lift with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene superficial musculoaponeurotic system extension graft (bandlift implant).

We introduce the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) superficial musculoaponeurotic system extension graft (SEG) as an effective method of lower face-lift and an alternative to the minimally invasive lower face-lift and thread-lift. During a 4.5-year period, 450 lower face-lifts with ePTFE SEG were performed. The procedure consisted of a primary ePTFE grafting operation followed by a secondary ePTFE SEG traction operation 3 to 4 weeks later; the skin flap was then excised and redraped to adjust the postauricular sulcus. No major complications resulted from surgery, but minor complications included wound infection (2.7%), insufficient traction (1.8%), slipped ePTFE graft (1.3%), temporary earlobe numbness (1.1%), asymmetric traction (0.9%), occipital pain (0.7%), and hematoma below the earlobe (0.2%). Lower face-lift with ePTFE SEG produces satisfactory results for both patients and surgeons in view of the short recovery time, less minimal invasion, simple techniques, and long-lasting outcome when compared with other minimally invasive methods of lower face-lift.