Is it common procedure to use nitroglycerin topical on facelift patients?

I feel it is fair to say that it is not customary to use nitro-paste as a routine treatment after a facelift.  It is true that it causes vasodilation, which in theory, delivers more blood and oxygen to healing skin.  Some surgeons do use nitro when there is potential compromise (ie necrosis) of the skin (due to excessive trauma, persistent hematoma etc.), and this is reasonable.  But as a "routine", I think it is safe to say it is not the standard.  That said, from a healing standpoint it probably will do no harm, but the side effects of lowering blood pressure and severe headaches should be a concern and consideration.  Hope this helps. -Doc L.

It is not typical to use nitroglycerin either before or after a facelift. I would ask your surgeon why he feels the need to use this medication. Unless you have some underlying vascular issues or developed some wound healing issues, I am not sure what advantage there would be to using this product.

Without having all the information, it is difficult to comment on the use of topical nitroglycerin in your case. It is not routine procedure in most surgeons practice to use this on all facelift patients . It is occasionally used on skin postoperatively when  the circulation is compromised to increase blood flow and prevent necrosis. It works by dilating blood vessels to increase the flow. One must be cautious when using it in patients with certain medical conditions such as low blood pressure, cerebrovascular disease, and some cardiac problems as it can drop blood pressure too low, leading to serious complications.

It is not common practice to use nitroglycerin on the face following facelift surgery.  However, your surgeon knows a great deal more about you than I do, and they may be concerned with areas of compromised blood flow after elevating the skin flaps for your facelift.  The area behind your ears would be one such area for some concern.  If you are a non smoker and are relatively healthy than nitroglycerin has not shown any clinical improvement in outcomes.

I do not know any board certified plastic surgeon who routinely uses nitroglycerin paste, nor have I ever needed to use it in over 30 years of practice. Assuming that your plastic surgeon is board certified, I'd  suggest a discussion with him/her  about its use.

No - not common to use this medication after a facelift. It is, however, common to use it on areas of concern when blood supply is poor. The problem is that there is not much science to support this use. Most of us have done it in the reconstructive parts of our practice, not usually with facelifts unless there is a problem. It is not likely to effect the appearance of veins long-term, although they could look more prominent when the medicine is working because it dilates blood vessels (that's the idea behind using it - to improve the blood supply to an area). I would have a frank discussion with your surgeon prior to proceeding so that you are comfortable with the plan before you move forward.

Hi and thanks for your question. It not Only is UN commmon but also dangerous in someone with low blood pressure to begin with. If used in small doses it can theoretically vasodilate compromised digital replantations but even this is controversial. Please resist the use of this drug for the face. We would hope that such would be unnecessary since the face has such good blood flow typically. Hope this helps. 

It is not typical to use nitroglycerin after surgery unless there was a vascular complication or other underlying condition that was being treated. I would suggest asking your surgeon why he decided to use this in your particular case. 

Dear GinVA, I would not say that it is a common practice to use nitroglycerin on all facelift patients however it can be used from time to time on the area in front or behind the ear if it appears dusky in color. This can happen when the patient has a reduced blood supply to this area either from to tight of closure, previous facelift procedures, or smoking. In these cases it is applied as needed. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.