Hemostatic Net in Facelift Surgery: A 5-Year Single-Surgeon Experience

Abstract

Abstract Background The hemostatic net has been promoted as a safe and effective method to prevent hematoma formation following facelift procedures. To date there is little published evidence to validate the replicability and effectiveness of the technique. Objectives This study presents 2 cohorts of facelift patients from a single surgeon's practice to assess the impact of the hemostatic net on hematoma formation. Methods The records of 304 patients were reviewed on whom the hemostatic net was placed following a facelift between July 2017 and October 2022. Data were collected and assessed for complications and compared with a control group of 359 patients who underwent a facelift procedure without placement of a hemostatic net by the same surgeon between 1999 and 2004. Results A total of 663 patients were included. In this retrospective cohort study, analysis of available data showed a significantly reduced hematoma rate of 0.6% in the intervention group compared with 3.9% in the control group (P = .006722). Conclusions The use of the hemostatic net is a safe, reproducible, and effective technique in reducing the risk of hematoma in facelift surgery. Level of Evidence: 4