Brow Lifting with Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) and Polylactide/Glycolide (PGA), Resorbable and Coned Threads.

INTRODUCTION

Facial thread lifting is currently very popular as a minimally invasive procedure. This retrospective study assesses the clinical efficacy of PLLA/PLGA coned threads used in patients who underwent thread brow lifting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-two patients with mild-to-moderate brow ptosis were treated with PLLA/PLGA coned threads for brow lifting as an outpatient procedure. Progress was evaluated with FACE-Q scales (satisfaction with face appearance, appraisal of upper eyelids, and satisfaction with forehead and eyebrows) and the Brow Positioning Grading Scale at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the procedure.

RESULTS

All patients (30 female and 12 male) were satisfied with the procedure's outcome. There was a statistically significant improvement in all Face-Q scales in all enrolled patients during the study period of 24 months. Scores of Brow Positioning Grading Scales (BPGS) paralleled the Face-Q scores (p < 0.05); however, the scores tended to worsen likewise after the 18th month. No serious adverse events were noted. Minor adverse effects were bruising, swelling, erythema, dimpling, and asymmetry.

CONCLUSION

In patients with mild-to-moderate brow ptosis, absorbable PLLA/PLGA sutures are an important, efficient, and valuable option for repositioning facial tissues. They also meet patients' expectations and ensure high patient satisfaction, as shown by Face-Q scores.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .