Contemporary deep plane rhytidectomy.

Many face-lift variations have been described including short skin flap, long skin flap, superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap, deep plane, composite flap, and subperiosteal face-lifts. Each technique offers its set of advantages and disadvantages. Theoretical benefits include a more optimal treatment of the midface, nasolabial fold, and periorbital area. A review of the literature highlights some of the potential advantages of the deep plane face-lift and the difficulty in objectively comparing the various techniques. © Thieme Medical Publishers.