Kacey HAU
Dermatologist, Hong Kong
Title: Surgical adverse events and incidence rate in bidirectional barb suspension thread surgery
Biography
Biography: Kacey HAU
Abstract
Introduction: Barb suspension surgery is getting popular as a supplementary choice for facial contouring and reshaping. Compared with formal face lifting, barb suspension provides a safer, minimally invasive and office-based surgical procedure. However, barb suspension surgery do have certain risks due to the invasive nature.
Objective: We would like to evaluate the incidence of adverse events after thread suspension surgery. Through this retrospective analysis, we would like to standardize the possible adverse events to facilitate future reporting and prevention strategies.
Methods: This is a single centre retrospective cohort study on the surgical outcomes. A collection of 200 pairs of thread used in the period of 2017-2019 (two years). The patients were followed up one week, two weeks and four weeks after surgery. The adverse events are stratified according to defined categories. Photos were taken for documentation after patients’ consent.
Results: the incidence of adverse event rate in the first week is 13.5%. It drops in the first 4 weeks, 9.6% at week 2, and 5.5% at week 4. The reported adverse events which persist after 4 weeks(number in brackets) include headache(0), redness(0), swelling and bruising(0), persistent surgical site pain(0), surgical site infection(1), asymmetry(0), palpability of threads(0), early recurrence(0), protrusion and extrusion(5), injury of the local anatomical parts like parotid gland(1), post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation(0), bunching, pleating and dimpling(5).
Discussion and onclusion: Both patient factor, operator factor, material and surgical field can contribute to the incidence. Barb suspension thread surgery is a relatively safe procedure. With careful selection of candidates, well-planned surgery, and respect to the sterility of surgical field and individual anatomical structures, majority of the incidents are avoidable. Clear post-operative care instruction and prompt intervention should issues arise are essential.