Anatomy of the Facial Glideplanes, Deep Plane Spaces and Ligaments: Implications for Surgical and Non-Surgical Lifting Procedures

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The soft tissue glideplanes of the face are functionally important and have a role in facial rejuvenation surgery. The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of soft tissue mobility of the face and its impact on the redraping of tissues involved in facelifting. The consequences of “no-release” and “extensive-release” lifting were analyzed to explain the difference in efficacy and potential longevity between these two contrasting philosophies. MATERIALS & METHODS: Preliminary dissections and macro sectioning were followed by a definitive series of standardized layered dissections on fifty cadaver heads, along with histology, sheet plastination, and mechanical testing. RESULTS: The previously described spaces are potential surgical dissection planes deep to the superficial fascia layer. The classically described retaining ligaments are local reinforcements of a system of small retaining fibers (retinacula cutis and deep retinacula fibers) which provide support of the soft tissues of the face and neck against gravitational sagging while allowing certain mobility. This mobility is utilized when mobile tissues are lifted without surgical release. However, the process of dragging up these fibers results in a loss of their previous, anti-gravitational, supportive orientation. CONCLUSION: No-release lifting techniques, such as thread lifts and minimal-invasive facelifts, tighten “tissue laxity” with a change of the gravity-opposing tissue architecture, placing the weight of the flap solely on the fixation, which limits longevity of the lift. The alternative, to perform a full release with redraping, enables reattachment of the flap to a higher position, with preservation of the original deep fascial architecture with its antigravity orientation and natural mobility, conceivably improving the longevity of the lift.