Contouring of the lower face by a novel method of narrowing and lengthening genioplasty

Abstract

Background: Lower face contouring surgery has become a popular aesthetic operation in most East Asian countries. Various surgical methods are used to improve lower face aesthetics. However, when a patient has both a short and a wide lower face, a chin-lengthening procedure should be performed simultaneously with narrowing genioplasty. Autogenous bone grafts or alloplastic materials are commonly used to correct this problem, but these surgical methods have several inherent disadvantages. To avoid these complications, the authors devised a novel, simple, and reliable method that can correct a short and wide lower face.

Methods: From January of 2010 to December of 2012, a consecutive series of 58 patients underwent chin-narrowing and chin-lengthening surgery. First, the newly designed narrowing and lengthening genioplasty was performed. Then, the mandible lower borders were further contoured to diminish the bony steps at the chin-mandible junction and achieve a smooth and slender jaw line.

Results: All patients showed sufficient improvement of their facial contours, and most of the patients were satisfied with their surgical outcomes. No severe complications were noted during the follow-up period. The results were confirmed with postoperative radiographs and medical photographs.

Conclusions: As the lower face plays an important role in the aesthetics and balance of the entire face, the authors' novel surgical tool to narrow and lengthen the chin can provide aesthetically gratifying results when correcting a short and wide lower face. Complications seen with previous chin-lengthening methods were avoided, and the new surgical tool showed reliable and predictable surgical outcomes.

Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, IV.