Abstract Patients with receding or high hairlines have traditionally been considered unfavorable candidates for endoscopic brow lift as this can further lengthen the hairline. We analyzed outcomes in patients that underwent a novel endoscopic brow lift technique with placement of incisions and anchoring Endotine Forehead Devices (CoApt Systems Inc, Palo Alto, CA, USA) directly at the natural forehead crease lines, in an effort to minimize elevation of the hairline, whereas providing well-hidden scars. We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent this new Endotine and incision placement between 2016 and 2020. Preoperative and postoperative photographs of all patients were analyzed to determine the postoperative changes in brow elevation and forehead length proportion (defined as length from cranium to chin). The forehead length proportion was unchanged pre- and post-operatively, with no statistically significant differences noted (P = 0.48). The average brow position elevation ranged from 2.78 mm in the medial location to 5.05 mm in the lateral location. All patients were happy with their appearance and had improved visual fields postoperatively. The forehead scars healed well and were well hidden in forehead rhytids at long term follow-up. This novel endoscopic brow lift technique provides an option to utilize a minimally invasive approach in patients with receding hairline. With this technique, visible scars were minimized, whereas still being able to achieve reasonable brow elevation. Thus, our approach enables long term maintenance of brow elevation with inconspicuous scars in the forehead.
Influence of Age, Sex, and Body Mass Index on the Thickness of the Gluteal Subcutaneous Fat: Implications for Safe Buttock Augmentation Procedures
Background: The deep intramuscular approach during buttock augmentation with fat grafting has been associated with a significantly increased risk for pulmonary fat embolism. This study was designed to provide guidance for injection into the subcutaneous fat. Methods: The authors investigated 150 Caucasian individuals with an equal distribution of men and women (n = 75 each) and a balanced distribution of age (n = 30 per decade: 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 to 69 years) and body mass index (n = 50 per group: ≤24.9 kg/m2, between 25.0 and 29.9kg/m2, and ≥30 kg/m2). Ultrasound-based measurements were conducted of the thickness of the total, superficial, and deep gluteal fatty layers. Results: An increase in body mass index of 1.0 kg/m2 corresponded to an increase of 3 mm of the total gluteal subcutaneous fat of men and a 4-mm increase of the total gluteal subcutaneous fat in women. With increasing age, the thickness of the deep fatty layer increased, whereas with increasing body mass index the thickness of the superficial layer primarily increased. Formulas were generated to estimate the total thickness of the gluteal subcutaneous fatty layer for men [total thickness (in millimeters) = −33.56 + (age × 0.078) + (body mass index × 3.042)] and women [total thickness (in millimeters) = −56.997 + (age × 0.1) + (body mass index × 3.86)]. Conclusions: Knowing the total thickness of the gluteal subcutaneous fat (i.e., the safe space) allows surgeons to estimate their operating range for cannula motion even if no ultrasound machine is available during buttock augmentation with fat grafting. This can increase safety, potentially reducing the number of adverse events.