Is cutting plastima band on the neck dangerous?

Dr. Michael Epstein answers a question from a RealSelf user who had a facelift  and necklift and has a prominent platysmal band.  This patient wanted to know if cutting the platysmal band was safe.

Recurring platysmal bands are a frustration for every facial cosmetic surgeon. Cutting or excising the bands is not dangerous. It is certainly an additional technique used for achieving a cleaner neck line. Platysmal bands are generally treated by sewing them together, excising, or both. Botox is only a short term fix. 

Cutting the platysmal bands is a common method to improve neck contour.Typically, a 3cm incision is made under the chin to undermine the anterior neck skin. The platysma is then tightened at the midline, and any bands can be cut at this point.Usually, the tightening in the midline is all that is necessary, but cutting the band is also helpful.

.Platysma bands are effectively and predictably fixed by the neck portion of a facelift. Transection of a band during this part of the operation is falling out of favor

There are numerous ways to address platysmal banding.  In properly trained hands, surgically addressing the platysma muscle is safe and effective in obtaining a more ideal neck line.  Depending on the patient's anatomy, desires, and other procedures I am performing on the patient, I have cut the platysma bands, sutured the platysma bands together, suspended the platysma bands, and tightened them from behind.  The technique that I choose is dependent on what's going on anatomically with the patient.  The best thing to do would be to seek the consultation of a facial
plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon and have a physical exam performed.
Realistic expectations and technique options with pros and cons of each could be discussed at that time.

Hi.  The standard treatment for platysmal bands is to divide them.  There are several approaches to doing this - depending on the facelift technique.  It's quite effective, and in trained hands, has a low frequency of complications.

If perfomed in the right place and by an experienced facial plastic surgeon cutting a portion of the platysma muscle during a neck lift procedure is safe and very effective (along with other simultaneous maneuvers).  The link below offers more information.I hope this helps.

Cutting platysma bands  is a very routine procedure and is not dangerous.  Sometimes this is the only way to improve platysma bands.  If your board certified plastic surgeon recommends this, you can feel comfortable that this is an appropriate treatment for you. 

Frequently when doing a face and neck lift, the bands have to be addressed.  The muscle can separate in the middle of the neck which then produces the bands.  In some patients just suturing the bands together in the midline will result in a smooth neck.  In others, it may be necessary to actually cut the bands so that they are no apparent post-op.  So there is no danger in having this done.

The platysma muscle is a muscle of facial expression, commonly thought of as a vestigial structure.  In other words it doesn't do very much, is not functionally significant, and we aren't really sure why we have it other than to animate our necks.  A common factor is aging is relaxation of the platsyma muscle, forming what we describe as platysmal bands.  One of the most common ways of dealing with this issue during a facelift is called a plastysmaplasty, whereby the mid-line of the muscle edges are sutured underneath the skin to give more definition to the neckline.  In certain circumstances, division of the muscle with platysmaplasty is preferable and is not dangerous.