Stitches Vs Staples with a Face Lift?

You would really be surprised how many surgeons use staples on facelifts. Personally, I feel that staple are not, well, very "plastic surgeon- like", if you see what I mean. Your supposedly paying for a highly skilled artist. I think using staples are crude. I take the extra time and care to use sutures, even in the hairline. They give more precise closure and I feel that little details, even in hidden areas like behind the ear, really make a difference in the overall result. Using sutures is not as easy, but attention to detail really counts in plastic surgery.

Staples within the hair bearing tissue is a great idea as no hair need be shaved to prevent hair from being brought into the wound when tying sutures knots. My patients have not found them uncomfortable.On the other hand, staples should not be used in non-hair regions of the face.

Staples can be used within the hairline, and most plastic surgeons prefer stitches, or sutures, in areas where visible scarring is a concern. Sutures tend to leave less pronounced scars, so some surgeons use them exclusively, even in the hairline where scars are better hidden. If this is an issue that concerns you, it is absolutely appropriate for you to discuss it with your surgeon. Your doctor should be able to explain to you the reasons for his or her preference and should take your concerns and goals into account. If you're not satisfied with the answers you get, you're always entitled to seek a second opinion. Good luck!

I perform many facelifts and usually use sutures for my incision line, but surgeons vary in technique. Staples are sometimes used in the hair. Raffy Karamanoukian Los Angeles

I use staples in the hair, I agree it is less traumatic for healing and the scar is no different. Some surgeons use staples in breast and abdominal surgery too

Personally, I always use sutures when performing a facelift as I feel it gives me more control as a surgeon and I can approximate the suture line better to obtain the most minimal scar possible.  I like to use dissolving sutures as I have found that it is discomforting for patients to have them removed.  Staples can be used in the hairline with great success but I feel they are not as exact.  Also, it is uncomfortable to have them removed.  It is really not the suture or staple which gives you a good incision line but the talent of the surgeon closing the incision and the tension applied during the facelift.

Staples, when used in a facelift surgery, should only be used in the hairline.  They should not substitute for a multilayered closure.  I prefer sutures for the following reasons:

1. Sutures can approximate tissue more precisely than staples

2. Sutures can stay in place longer and are less likely to leave "track marks" than staples

3. Sutures are less painful to remove in the office than staples

4. Sutures can stay in place for out of town patients along the hair without causing significant issue-- staples must be removed relatively soon after the procedure

Much of the final outcome of the facelift is determined by the the quality of the incisions which should be almost imperceptible. This can only be accomplished with a very precise skin closure which is impossible with Staples.

In directly seen regions of the face, staples are never a good idea. However, in the hair bearing skin there is no real difference. If you are concerned then talk to your surgeon. Please remember that the most important elements in facelift surgery are the end result and conveying your personal desires/expectations.

Be healthy and be well,

James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS

 

Dear Safari Lover,

Yes, staples are used within the hair because they are easy to remove in the office and do not affect the healing in a negative way

I would avoid telling the doctor what to do, you can express your concerns and discuss them though

Best regards,

Nima Shemirani