Background: Face-lift surgery when combined with perioral phenol-croton oil peel is an underappreciated tool for face rejuvenation. The procedure results in significant central face skin tightening and wrinkle reduction.
Methods: A retrospective review of 47 consecutive patients who underwent simultaneous face lift and perioral peel was performed. The objective measures used to evaluate the change in appearance of the patients included (1) a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire, (2) an evaluation of apparent age, and (3) an evaluation of perioral wrinkles by independent reviewers using a validated model. The assessment of apparent age was performed as follows: preoperative and postoperative photographs were shown randomly to six reviewers, who were asked to estimate the patient's age. The apparent age was compared with the patient's actual age, and the reduction in apparent age was calculated. Improvement in perioral rhytides was evaluated by using the Glogau classification system (range, 1 to 4).
Results: Survey results documented overall patient satisfaction, which was rated as 6.5 on a scale of 1 to 7 (with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction). Patients' postoperative apparent age estimate was 8.2 years younger than their real age (p=0.0002). The Glogau classification system score demonstrated a mean reduction of 1.15 (3.3 preoperatively as compared with 2.15 postoperatively, p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Outcomes measurements, including patient satisfaction, objective evaluation of wrinkle improvement, and significant reduction in apparent age, document the power of this technique.
Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, IV.