Do you place drains after a full facelift?

Great question...because there are many different opinions concerning drains, whether for a facelift, breast surgery, abdominoplasty, etc.
I always use a 10 Fr. drain per side that is placed under the neck skin and exits within the hair behind the ear. This is connected to a bulb that maintains suction continuously. The drain/tube is thin measuring only ~3mm in diameter...it is removed usually on day 2 post-op, but can be longer depending on the drainage.
My philosophy is that I'd rather have the fluid/serum/blood in the bulb and not under the skin flaps. I think there is less bruising and less chance of hematoma when drains are used. 

I don't typically use drains with my facelift patients. Performing the surgery while the patient's blood pressure is near their normal state and being very careful to cauterize even the smallest of bleeders will typically prevent any bleeding issues after the procedure and a drain will not be required. If a particular patient seems to be a little " oozey " I will put drains in and take them out the next day to minimize any bruising. Drains can't prevent a hematoma.

I do not typically place drains after a facelift. It is often a choice the surgeon makes during surgery, with a variety of factors to consider.  Most surgeons who do use drains will leave them in just overnight.  Good luck!Sincerely,Dr. Michelle Spring

Thank you for the question. I dont always place drains with a facelift but almost always with a combined face and neck lift. I feel it reduces seroma rate post operatively. There are very little downsides to using a drain except mild inconvenice for the patient while mobilising. Most often I remove them at post op day 1 or 2. I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question,It depends on surgeon's preference . I prefer to use drains after for face lift surgery, they reduce bruing sweeling,blood collection.Best of luck.

Depends. Although some surgeons routinely place drains and some surgeons routinely do not place drains, I find that I individualize the patient and the sub techniques in facelift that have been performed. Smaller facelifts in select patients probably do not require draining. A more involved one I find myself placing drains. There is no consensus on this in the plastic surgeons community. It is similar to tummy tucks where some do and some don't. There are pros and cons for placing drains. Often, the reason for placing a drain is that if there is any bleeding, this can be drained out. Also, drains are sometimes placed on vacuum suction which can help the skin that has been lifted in facelifting to adhere more firmly some believe. On the other hand drains require a small incision to come out and can also disturb things including when the drain is removed. It all depends on your surgeons preferences.

Facelifts do not require drains. However there are times I use a drain with my facelift surgeries. If a patient has any oozing, if a patient has an extensive neck dissection to elevate a droopy neck or if the patient had been on aspirin. Good luck...

The incidence of hematoma after facelift is about 5-10% and to avoid it a drain is very helpful. I personally use drains. However, some surgeons do not and it is ok as long as they can avoid getting a hematoma.RegardsDr. J

We routinely use drain after face/neck lift surgery. Most patients have it removed next day but in some cases (male patients) it can stay 2-3 days, as needed. It is such a good safety measure that we never question it's role. Some surgeons, however, may have different approach in this regard. Good luck.

I prefer to use drains after a full face lift as I believe this helps reduce the change of a seroma or excess liquid that can occur after the surgery.  These drains are left overnight after the surgery and removed the next morning.  I then have patients who a large compression bandage for two days and after that, there is typically no need for any other compression garment.