Song Jennifer K.
Director
HiU plastic surgery clinic
Korea
Educational Background
M.D. Ph.D.
Work Experience
Plastic Surgeon
Abstract：
Traditional approaches to correct facial disharmony associated with facial paralysis aim to re-innervate
the paralyzed facial musculature, and thus involve aggressive open procedures such as unilateral facelift,
sling procedures using muscle/fascia and implantable materials, or cross-facial nerve grafts. Although
these approaches are optimal, it can be burdensome or hopeless for a lot of patients.
Even so, patients shouldn’ t just meaninglessly wait for the right time for a decision, or on the way,
helplessly loose hope.
The symmetry of the face at rest can still be restored using combination of non-surgical modalities. I
would like to introduce few cases corrected using PDO-barbed thread lifting technique for static facial
suspension in patients suffering from facial disharmony associated with long-standing facial nerve
paralysis.
1. Volume lift: The procedure offers anatomic restoration of an adequate malar fat pad and jowl fat, which
is the most determinative keystone of facial asymmetry. Decreased muscle facial mimetic power has lost
its function to deliver the superficial fat compartments, which can successfully suspend using barbed
threads. After lifting of the facial volume, weakened mimetic muscles might regain its chance to act.
2. Defining matching points: Re-creation of the nasolabial crease and suspension of the oral commissure
to its normal anatomic relationships can also be accomplished when correct target is well purchased
using loop method of barbed sutures.
The recovery time is minimal, and the operation is performed as a short outpatient procedure. More
than 6 months follow-up has shown effective preservation of the surgical results. Let's give them
something to smile about!
