An Innovative Form, Scaffold Type of Thread Lift: Its Satisfactory Performance and Safety

As medical technology advances, patients have begun to prefer procedures that are minimally invasive, quick, simple, and have a fast recovery rate. Thread lift is a method of facial rejuvenation that meets patients’ such needs¹. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and safety of the new scaffold type thread lift. The Cavern® thread (NEO Dr. INC, Republic of Korea) is made up of a polydioxanone (PDO) and is in the shape of a spring. The thread is inserted into sagging area and adds volume by maintaining its spring form. The thread is more effective in collagen synthesis, as it stimulates various sites of the skin in multiple directions^2,3. Thread lift and rejuvenation surgery were performed on four different areas: tear trough, nasolabial fold, cheek hollow, and marionette line; each group consisted of 12 patients using mass-type thread from October to December 2017. First, the sites of thread insertion and puncture were determined. Wrinkled areas or areas requiring additional volume were marked. Following the induction of local anesthesia in the trigeminal nerve, 1% lidocaine and 1:200,000 epinephrine were injected into puncture sites for local anesthesia and along the previously designed line. Puncture was performed on the previously marked puncture site using a 21-gauze needle, and the Cavern® thread was inserted into the subcutaneous layer. Thinner threads were used for the tear trough and palpebromalar groove. While thicker threads were used for the cheek hollow, nasolabial fold, and marionette line. All patients underwent follow-up for over 3 months. Patient satisfaction was investigated at one and three months postoperatively. Complications were also investigated. The satisfaction scores were 4.6, 4.2, 4.5, and 4.4 points for the tear trough, nasolabial fold, cheek hollow, and marionette line results at 1 month, respectively, and 4.5, 4.1, 4.5, and 4.3 points for the respective sites at three months. No hematoma, infection, chronic pain, or nerve injury occurred. Ecchymosis occurred in five patients (10.4%), asymmetry in one patient (2.1%), and palpability in three patients (6.3%). The procedure took about 7 minutes on average, and patients were able to return to work immediately afterwards. Facial rejuvenation using scaffold type thread Cavern® is a safe and effective procedure. This method produced good cosmetic results, a shorter operation time, less morbidity, and a faster recovery than the other method^4,5.

References

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3. Lee H, Yoon K, Lee M. Outcome of facial rejuvenation with polydioxanone thread for Asians. J Cosmet Laser Ther 2018;20:189-92.
4. Kim J, Zheng Z, Kim H, et al. Investigation on the Cutaneous Change Induced by Face-Lifting Monodirectional Barbed Polydioxanone Thread. Dermatol Surg 2017;43:74-80.
5. Abraham RF, DeFatta RJ, Williams EF 3rd. Thread-lift for facial rejuvenation: assessment of long-term results. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2009;11:178-83.