A cosmetic approach to cutaneous defects.

The options available to cosmetic surgeons for the treatment of the aging face are expanding at a rapid pace. Although any one modality may help, often a combination of approaches provides the most dramatic results. Whereas some of these techniques represent refinements of old tools, others represent entirely new modalities (Box 1). To tailor the most effective treatment plan appropriately, the limitations and strengths of these various tools must be understood by the patient and physician. During the preoperative consultation, assessment of a patient's expectations is critical when suggesting a treatment plan. By performing an assessment, the physician and patient can experience increased satisfaction because more optimal results are achieved.