Anterior cervicoplasty in the male patient

Abstract

Most men develop visible redundant tissue in the anterior neck with aging. Some seek surgical improvement. If the patient does not wish to have a conventional face/neck lift, anterior cervicoplasty is a good option. The procedure accomplishes tightening in the horizontal direction by excising a midline vertical ellipse of skin and subcutaneous fat. The surgeon tightens and lengthens the platysma muscles by suturing the anterior borders of the muscle to each other and by performing one or more Z-plasties in the muscle. A Z-plasty in the skin and subcutaneous tissue predictably creates a mental/cervical crease or angle with precise planning of the location of the horizontal limb. It also provides added length to the vertical skill closure. Every patient has thought that the improved contour of his neck more than offset the presence of a visible scar. In fact, no patient has indicated that his scar has been noticed by others, nor has any patient requested scar revision.