[Experimental cervicoplasty: correction of the cervicomental angle by postero-superior suspension of the hyoid bone. A study of 20 anatomical dissections].

The elegance of the cervical region is due to a certain balance between concave and convex surfaces, and is based on the presence of a well-defined cervicomental angle, generally between 90 degrees to 110 degrees. An excessively wide-open cervicomental angle makes the cervical profile inelegant. Numerous surgical techniques can improve this angle. There is however a certain limit to this correction: an excessively caudal and anterior hyoid bone. In this case the last proposal is a modification of the hyoid bone position in order to replace it in a backward and upper location. To achieve this goal we studied postero-superior suspension of the hyoid bone by plication of the tendon of the digastric muscle in 20 anatomic dissection. Each an dissection was controlled by x-ray of the profile of the cervical region before and after application of this technique. Cephalometric measures were performed and statistically analysed using the "Paired t-test" on Statview II. Analysis of the results after the plication of the tendon of the digastric muscle, demonstrated an average closing of the cervicomental angle of 25.6 degrees with an average ascent of the hyoid bone of 13.27 millimeters and an average posterior transposition of 3.75 millimeters. This experimental cervicoplasty appears to be feasible. A precise surgical technique has been developed with an easy approach to the digastric tendon during standart faced lift procedures. The effect of the compression generated on the pharyngo-oesophageal complex by posterior transposition of the hyoid bone is unknown. This problem is now under investigation.