Is It Safe to Have a Facelift if You Have a History or RSD?

  RSD or complex regional pain syndrome does not tend to occur as frequently with facelift, but this entity is unpredictable to some degree.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

It depends on whether or not you have had other surgical procedures without issues.  It would be a good idea to get medical clearance from your physician

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is poorly understood but it is treatable and usually self-limited, or as you say becomes quiet or dormant. For the cases of RSD that I have seen, it is much more common in the extremities.  It is probably okay to undergo a facelift but inform your surgeon and discuss with him/her thoroughly. Be prepared to intervene if the signs or symptoms of RSD begin to emerge after surgery.  It's a risk but certainly not a contraindication to facelift surgery.  Good Luck!

Reflex sympathetic distrophy is a condition which we do not fully understand. I have only seen one patient with it. It was exacerbated when she had body liposuction by another plastic surgeon. When she came to me I was reluctant to perform a facelift procedure, for fear of activating the condition. She ultimately had the procedure done by another plastic surgeon and did well. There are no studies documenting RSD and facelifts, so maybe she was lucky, we do not know. I would prepare for the worst if you desire to go ahead with the surgery.

It will very much depend on your motivation to have surgery and the willingness of your plastic surgeon to manage your RSD symptoms.

There are unknown causes for reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and the condition can be difficult to treat. Surgery and other traumas can be a trigger so if your condition is severe or poorly controlled you may wish to leave well enough alone. You should ask your physician about your plans and see if he might consider a medical clearance for a go ahead.

Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

I don't see any contraindication for facelift with RSD background. considering that RSD is a sympathetic nervous issue and in a properly face lift procedure, surgical planes are not involving sympathetic ganglia or system. 

I expect that facelift doesn't make the situation worse or if you notice any changes, should be temporary.

That depends on what you mean by "safe."  RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) is a poorly understood cycle of pain, numbness, uncomfortable sensations and, ultimately, diminished function (for many reasons).  It has been described most commonly for injuries and procedures affecting the extremities but, in view of the degree to which it is not understood, I would think that you have to at least consider the possibility that whatever signs of this you've had may be reactivated by any surgery you have, and that would include a facelift.

So while it's probably safe from a purely surgical standpoint to undergo this procedure, I think you (and your surgeon) would have to include, among the risks, the potential that you'll have more of these issues (ie, the RSD) than an average patient would.

I hope that this helps, and good luck,

Dr. E

If a patient has a history of reflex sympathetic distrophy - RSD, they may be at higher risk of post operative pain syndromes after any surgical procedure, including a facelft.  If you have a history of RSD be sure to inform your suyrgeon of this before your facelift.  He/she may alter their routine post operative plan for pain coverage and may consider enlisting the aid of a pain specialist in post operative pain management.