Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the indication for endoscopic-assisted forehead and brow lift and to present the surgical technique and evaluate clinical outcome.
Patients and methods: A total of 61 female patients between 36 and 64 years (s=49.64) were operated from 1999 through 2002 with the endoscopic-assisted forehead and brow lift and were observed pre- and postoperatively and 6 months after surgery. The galea aponeurotic flap was fixed through a bone tunnel (tabula externa) with nonabsorbable sutures in all patients. We measured the distance between the middle of the pupil and the most cranial point of the eyebrow as well as the largest distance between the eyebrow and the hairline intraoperatively and 6 months after surgery. The patients' satisfaction with the outcome of these surgical procedures was determined on a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 as the worst and 10 as the best mark.
Results: We found a brow lift of 8.03 mm (s=1.622) on average. The endoscopic forehead and brow lift was indicated up to the maximal distance of 12 cm between the eyebrow and the hairline. The patients' satisfaction with the outcome was registered on average at 6.98 (s=1.36) on our scale. A temporary unilateral weakness of the frontal branch of the facial nerve was the severest complication found postoperatively.
Conclusion: The endoscopic-assisted forehead and brow lift is a safe and effective method to improve upper face aesthetics. A high grade of patient satisfaction is obtainable. The advantage in using this method is the invisible scar formation. The indication is limited by a high hairline.