For a mid face lift surgery, is local anesthetic safer than general anesthesia?

You might think that local anesthesia is safer than general, but the answer is much more nuanced. I use a total IV anesthesia, which combines the comfort of a general anesthetic with the safety of local anesthesia (you are still breathing on your own, there is no tube down your trachea, and you are not paralyzed). It is difficult to perform a deep-plane facelift (which is the best type) under local anesthesia because it is uncomfortable for the patient. Having surgery in a licensed surgery center with the benefit of anesthesia may cost more, but it is worth it. Also, highly experienced plastic surgeons usually prefer to perform surgery in such a setting. An outpatient surgery center is preferred over a hospital for other reasons. There is probably less opportunity to be infected by a highly resistant bacterium such as MRSA in a community outpatient surgery center, and the cost tends to be less. This is a big topic of course. I have attached a link to my website, where I provide a much more detailed discussion. Safety issues are highly important and your questions are good ones.

Thank you for a great question and for sharing your concerns.  A midfacelift, facelift, or necklift can be performed under local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia.  Anesthesia overall is very safe, with local anesthesia likely carrying the least risk. If you have immune compromise, definitely discuss this with your surgeon at consultation to decide the safest venue for your to have your procedure.  I hope this helps.I recommend consulting with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to further discuss your concerns and options."This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

If you are in good health then a midface lift can be performed safely by either local anesthesia with oral sedation, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. An outpatient surgery center has less chance of MRSA and other resistant organisms though the incidence of infections after facelift is low in comparison to other surgeries due to the robust blood supply. The most important decision you can make is deciding on the most qualified plastic surgeon (see link below) whose job it is to guide you on decisions such as the ones you are considering.#midfacelift

This procedure is not lengthy so you would not be exposed to excessive general anesthesia.  Also, the incidence of head and neck infections with cosmetic surgeries is very low due to the high vascularity of the area.  I would have the surgeon use the anesthetic he feels most comfortable with for the best cosmetic result.  A surgery center should be fine to do this kind of surgery.  

We like sedation over general anesthesia for facelift procedures. Other surgeons prefer general anesthesia. To my knowledge there is no good study comparing the two anesthesia modes for their safety. An out of hospital surgery center appears to be a good choice for facial cosmetic surgery.

Hi stymiehymie.  Both kinds of anesthesia are safe in healthy patients.  You may experience less nausea, constipation,etc. after surgery if you have a local or twilight anesthesia. Accredited surgery centers are safe.  If your ABPS certified plastic surgeon routinely uses a local and twilight anesthesia, with his/her usual surgery center staff, then that may safer than him/her going to a hospital where they don't have their usual team, especially if the hospital ORs do not routinely perform facelifts. Hospital facility costs are frequently more expensive than surgery centers.  Good luck!

Although general anesthesia is considered safe, local anesthesia is safer in the hands of an experienced board certified plastic surgeon.  Tumescent local anesthesia offers large area of numbing with no risk of toxicity seen as with regular local anesthesia.  My recommendation is local anesthesia with oral sedation in the office setting for the vast majorof my patients.

Thanks for posting your question. I have performed thousands of facelifts, neck lifts, mini lifts, blephs, lasers and chin implants under local anesthesia and oral sedation. Done properly, patients are comfortable and I believe have an easier recovery. There is an art and science to this local anesthesia technique to acquire a high level of patient comfort. My patients do not require a narcotic prior or during their their procedures thus further reducing nausea and vomiting. The risks, both short term and long term, of general anesthesia are eliminated. One recent study showed a higher incidence of post operative cognitive decline in elderly women after general anesthesia.  That said, there is no "right" anesthesia.  What works best for you and your surgeon for your comfort and safety and results will help determine the anesthesia type. Please consult with several board certified surgeons experienced in facelifting and also in local anesthesia techniques if you are seeking this option.

While  many surgeons perform facial rejuvenation in the office under conscious sedation, I think better results can be obtained under General Anastasia performed in an outpatient surgery center by a board-certified anesthesiologist.  I agree that hospital acquired infections are a major concern. Accredited surgery centers offer the best of both worlds, the safety of hospital monitoring without exposure to germs and bugs. Either can be safe.  Just make sure that your surgeon is comfortable in whatever setting you choose.

Hello,Thank you for your question. I recommend that you discuss your health history and immunity concerns with your Plastic Surgeon while planning your procedure. I prefer general anaesthetic for lengthier facial procedures such as Face/neck lift, Genioplasty and Rhinoplasty. In general, only elderly patients or those with significant medical problems (like heart, lung, or liver disease) are at increased risk with anaesthesia.Talk to your Plastic Surgeon about the risks and benefits associated with each type of anaesthetic and surgery  locations that you have to choose from. All the best