Neck and Facial Contouring

Abstract

Liposuction of the neck area is a relatively common surgical procedure. The majority of the fat extraction is performed in the submental area. VASER-assisted liposuction (VAL) is a useful technique for neck contouring since it is associated with less skin trauma and blood loss which translates into less postoperative bruising and swelling. High amounts of wetting solution at room temperature are recommended and small five-ring, VASER probes at 60% energy level in pulse mode are used for the fat fragmentation. Aspiration is performed with 3.0 mm VentX cannulas. Cervicodorsal lipodystrophy can occur in up to 60% of patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) for the treatment of HIV disease. Ultrasonic liposuction has shown usefulness fragmenting this highly dense, fibrous, fatty tissue. A very aggressive one-ring, VASER probe at 90% energy level in continuous mode is employed for approximately 1 minute for every 100 ml of expected aspirate. Aspiration is performed with 4.6 mm and 3.7 mm VentX cannulas. Facial and neck contouring by means of VASER-assisted liposuction (VAL) is a relatively common procedure. It is most frequently performed as a stand-alone procedure; however in the author’s experience, about one third of the cases are performed in combination with other liposuction procedures. Also the techniques for submental and neck contouring can be performed by themselves or as an adjunct to open procedures such as facelifts (DiGiuseppe. Int J Cosm Surg Aesthet Dermatol 2:125–31, 2000). The great majority of the fat extraction involves the neck and submental area.