I had a parotidectomy (benign) 18 years ago. I am considering a neck lift for sagging skin on my neck as well as liposuction. The procedure that the surgeon is considering would pull the skin back, remove excess skin, and suture behind the hair line. Also, removal of excess fat at the top of my neck via liposuction. I am not considering a face lift. Is there a risk to the facial nerves with these procedures?
Answer: Necklift or facelift after parotid gland surgery A history of parotidectomy will make the technical aspects of a necklift or combined facelift / necklift a bit more challenging.It is important that your necklift surgeon be very familiar with parotidectomy. You will find that most facial plastic surgeons have a background in head & neck surgery from their residency training which involves a tremendous amount of surgery on the parotid gland and other deeper structures in the area. Sticking with just a necklift should not pose too much of an increased risk for you. It really depends on what was done during your parotid surgery and what is found at the time of your upcoming necklift. Your surgeon should be comfortable in recognizing those variations in anatomy at the time of the procedure and being able to adapt as needed to give you a great result while keeping the risk to a minimum.
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Answer: Necklift or facelift after parotid gland surgery A history of parotidectomy will make the technical aspects of a necklift or combined facelift / necklift a bit more challenging.It is important that your necklift surgeon be very familiar with parotidectomy. You will find that most facial plastic surgeons have a background in head & neck surgery from their residency training which involves a tremendous amount of surgery on the parotid gland and other deeper structures in the area. Sticking with just a necklift should not pose too much of an increased risk for you. It really depends on what was done during your parotid surgery and what is found at the time of your upcoming necklift. Your surgeon should be comfortable in recognizing those variations in anatomy at the time of the procedure and being able to adapt as needed to give you a great result while keeping the risk to a minimum.
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October 27, 2016
Answer: Necklift after Parotidectomy Your question is very appropriate, in that parotid gland removal can expose certain branches of the facial nerves in the cheek and upper neck, potentially increasing risk of nerve damage during a facelift. However, a necklift has more limited dissection than a complete facelift and the area of danger to the facial nerve is much smaller. Therefore, the risk is also less. The surgeon needs to consider the possibly altered nerve anatomy when doing such a necklift. You should seek out a plastic surgeon with expertise in face/neck lifting, and I do feel that a necklift can be performed very safely with minimal risk of nerve injury.
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October 27, 2016
Answer: Necklift after Parotidectomy Your question is very appropriate, in that parotid gland removal can expose certain branches of the facial nerves in the cheek and upper neck, potentially increasing risk of nerve damage during a facelift. However, a necklift has more limited dissection than a complete facelift and the area of danger to the facial nerve is much smaller. Therefore, the risk is also less. The surgeon needs to consider the possibly altered nerve anatomy when doing such a necklift. You should seek out a plastic surgeon with expertise in face/neck lifting, and I do feel that a necklift can be performed very safely with minimal risk of nerve injury.
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October 23, 2016
Answer: Facelift after parotidectomy? Juju58,
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October 23, 2016
Answer: Facelift after parotidectomy? Juju58,
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October 22, 2016
Answer: Neck lift after parotidectomy Best results for a neck lift is a face lift with SMAS. It has been proven to give the longest lasting results and best overall results. There is a slight risk of nerve injury, statistics reveal less then 1% incidence of even temporary nerve dysfunction postoperatively by board certified ASAPS plastic surgeons. Consider seeing a qualified plastic surgeon in consultation. Good luck...
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October 22, 2016
Answer: Neck lift after parotidectomy Best results for a neck lift is a face lift with SMAS. It has been proven to give the longest lasting results and best overall results. There is a slight risk of nerve injury, statistics reveal less then 1% incidence of even temporary nerve dysfunction postoperatively by board certified ASAPS plastic surgeons. Consider seeing a qualified plastic surgeon in consultation. Good luck...
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October 20, 2016
Answer: Facelifts and neck lifts after parotidectomy The short answer to your question is that there is some risk to the facial nerve both temporary and permanent. However, if your surgeon is skilled in facial nerve anatomy, the risk should be very small. Some temporary nerve weakness is possible just from stretching the nerve or pressure from the surgery itself. That being said it usually returns within six weeks. A neck lift has slightly less risk; however, the lower branch of the facial nerve such as the cervical branch is more superficial in the neck and in general is the nerve that is most at risk especially after a parotidectomy which is superficial for benign tumors. I would make sure your surgeon is skilled in facial plastic anatomy. Good luck in your area.
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October 20, 2016
Answer: Facelifts and neck lifts after parotidectomy The short answer to your question is that there is some risk to the facial nerve both temporary and permanent. However, if your surgeon is skilled in facial nerve anatomy, the risk should be very small. Some temporary nerve weakness is possible just from stretching the nerve or pressure from the surgery itself. That being said it usually returns within six weeks. A neck lift has slightly less risk; however, the lower branch of the facial nerve such as the cervical branch is more superficial in the neck and in general is the nerve that is most at risk especially after a parotidectomy which is superficial for benign tumors. I would make sure your surgeon is skilled in facial plastic anatomy. Good luck in your area.
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