What's the diff between platysmaplasty and cervicoplasty? Do these tighten different neck muscles? Are they ever done together?

Question

A top board certified PS did my lower face/neck lift. He said the area under my chin would be tightened; now there's a 2-3" inch scar there. My droopy profile, jowls are corrected. I'm only 3 wks out and can't see full results due to swelling in cheeks, jaw, submental area, but I do see platysma banding now. How can this be if the muscle was tightened? Are there other neck muscles that can be tightened besides the platysma? If it was a cervicoplasty, does that tighten muscle as well?

Benjamin Caughlin, MD, FACS · Answer

There are other muscles than the platysma that can be tightened in the neck. For instance, we can tighten the digastric muscle in some patients. However this does not lead to platsymal banding. Surgery is all about determining what you want to change and then deciding the best way to go about obtaining those changes. This can be from tightening the muscle, removing or replacing fat, removing and tightening skin etc. You are very early in your healing phases. As things settle I think you will be happier and happier. Hope this helps.Best of luck,DrC

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Platsymaplasty and cervicoplasty are different terms for the same procedure.  The extent of your Surgeon's work is only known by your Surgeon and he will be the best reference for your question.  Based on the submental incision utilized, it sounds as if a platysmaplasty was performed

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many SMAS facelifts and Neck Lifts for over 30 years and have performed many minimally, invasive SMAS facelifts.  Platysmaplasty and Cervicoplasty are one in the same.  Like all procedures that can and are performed differently, so it's key that you speak with your Facelift Surgeon regarding any concerns that you may have. If anterior platysmal bands are present or the maximal amount of neck skin is to be removed, a "formal" neck lift can be done.  In this procedure, the face and neck tissues are elevated using a curved incision around the front (explained later) of the ear that continues in the crease behind the ear and then 3 inches into the posterior hairline.  The tissue is dissected from that point all the way across the entire neck to the same position on the other side of the head in a dissection that is as long vertically as the entire neck.  The Platysma muscles are tightened using a curved incision under the chin and each side is pulled upward and back again being tightened at a line behind each ear (under the tissues).  Since the skin flap pull is up and back, this will pick up any tissue laxity along the jaw line or "jowls" which must be dissected and flattened out using a lower facelift (incision around the front of the ears).  If this isn't done, pleats of excess skin will appear below each ear.  This is an extensive surgery taking 4 1/2 to 5 hours with large incisions, possible hair loss and months of recovery.  When "jowls" are present a lower SMAS facelift is performed in conjunction with the neck lift.
Hope this helps.

What's the diff between platysmaplasty and cervicoplasty? Do these tighten different neck muscles? Are they ever done together?

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What's the diff between platysmaplasty and cervicoplasty? Do these tighten different neck muscles? Are they ever done together?

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Everything you need to know about Lower Facelift

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