Can a CT scan reveal which nerves are where on face so as to avoid hitting them during lower facial liposuction?

Question

Specifically subcutaneous fat near mouth and lower face above jawline (including below where buccal fat is concentrated). Is lower facial lipo (traditional, no laser/heat/ultrasound) dangerous or risky?

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Distribution of motor and sensory nerves in the neck and face is something well known to an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon. There is no need for CT or MRI before liposuction of face and neck. Some areas of fat  deposits in the face (there are 16 fat compartments in the face) should not be treated with liposuction due to danger of nerve injury. Experience of the surgeon is the most critical component in selecting and performing liposuction in the face and neck. Good luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

there is no way to scan the face to determine how to do liposuction on the lower face. facetite/liposuction are performed safetly when done by an expert. ive never seen a permanent damage from this procedure, see my IG we do this live weekly.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The facial nerve cannot be seen on a CT scan.  it may be possible to see larger parts of the nerve using an MRI.

Radiographic studies are not needed. The nerve runs in fairly consistent anatomic locations that are plastic surgeons are aware of.

There is no way to reduce the risk of marginal mandibular  nerve injury when doing a liposuction around the jowls with the exception of being gentle and using a small cannula.

Knowing exactly where the nerves are doesn’t solve any problems other than surgeons knowing better than to do high-risk procedures.

Some plastic surgeons do Liposuction in high-risk areas and some plastic surgeons do not.

Personally are used to but no longer do.

If you opt to have liposuction in high-risk areas like the jowl you need to accept  the risk of temporary nerve injury.  please have multiple in person consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons and they can explain their approach, where the nerves are and what the implications are of treating these areas.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

The facial nerves are deep to the muscles, so would not be injured by an expert doing liposuction there. However, no facial rejuvenation expert I am aware of would do liposuction on the face. The face loses volume as it ages, or, at least, the volume shifts. To rejuvenate the face we need all the fat there we can get, so we certainly don't want to remove any. Even if you look a little better immediately after, you will regret it in a few years. (The neck, however is different, so these comments are very specific to the face.)

Can a CT scan reveal which nerves are where on face so as to avoid hitting them during lower facial liposuction?

Answers (4)

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