Evolution EnBL
Evolution EnBL
E n d o s c o p i c Brow - L i f t
Surgery
Renato Saltz, MD, FACSa,b,c,*, Alyssa Lolofie, BSd
KEYWORDS
Facial rejuvenation Endoscopic facial rejuvenation Endoscopic brow lift
KEY POINTS
Brow aesthetics and surgical options for brow lift and forehead rejuvenation.
Ideal candidates for the endoscopic brow-lift technique.
Forehead and periocular anatomy.
Surgical technique and the 4 key steps for endoscopic brow rejuvenation.
Long term results and complications.
brow aesthetics cannot be generalized and must Techniques for forehead rejuvenation include
be evaluated in relation to gender, ethnicity, orbital open coronal, lateral temporal brow lift, direct
a
University of Utah, 5445 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84117, USA; b ISAPS; c ASAPS; d University
of Utah School of Medicine, 5445 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84117, USA
* Corresponding author. Saltz Plastic Surgery, 5445 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84117.
E-mail address: [email protected]
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My Evolution with Endoscopic Brow-Lift Surgery 165
Fig. 2. Brow aging. (A) Age-related changes of the brow involve brow descent, furrowing, vertical and transverse
frown lines, and crow’s-feet. (B) Early signs of brow and periorbital aging include deflation and brow ptosis with
a lowering of the medial and lateral hair-bearing brown and development of vertical glabellar and horizontal
forehead lines. These changes often result in alterations to facial expression producing a tired, concerned, or
even angry look. There is also real or apparent excess skin on the upper eyelid. (From Foad N., et al. Endoscopic
Plastic Surgery. QMP (Thieme NY). 2008; with permission.)
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166 Saltz & Lolofie
Fig. 3. Structural landmarks in the brow. The temporal fusion line lies at the junction of the periosteum and the
deep temporal fascia. It must be released to achieve brow mobility. The orbital retaining ligament, situated at the
lateral supraorbital rim, must also be released. (From Foad N., et al. Endoscopic Plastic Surgery. QMP (Thieme NY).
2008; with permission.)
possible elevation of the anterior hairline; medial also for all medical and nursing personnel involved
brow elevation; position, shape, and elevation of in the surgical case. The novice should take his or
the lateral brow; softening and spreading of the her first assistant to cadaver workshops and/or
intermedial brow space after corrugator resection courses to learn together. The equipment, from
(Fig. 6). endoscope to camera and monitors, is usually
The endoscopic technique is based on the use standard in centers where aesthetic surgeries are
of modern technology whereby the traditional performed. It has become important to test each
eye-hand surgical coordination is done through a system, inspect each instrument, and check for a
video-endoscopic system. Additional extensive backup system as a safeguard. The surgeon
training is necessary not only for the surgeon but must have knowledge of the principles extending
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My Evolution with Endoscopic Brow-Lift Surgery 167
Equipment
Although use of the endoscopic brow lift has nearly
eliminated the need for open coronal brow lifts,
there are additional equipment requirements.
Equipment should be tested before induction of
anesthesia, and backup equipment should be avail-
able. The endoscopic equipment on the cart for
visualization includes a monitor (preferably high
definition), a 3-chip camera with the ability to record
the procedure digitally and take still photographs,
light source, electrocautery base unit, and suction.
The additional equipment on the field should
include an endoscope (most commonly a 4- to 5-
mm 30-degree Hopkins rod with an endoscopic
sheath), camera connector, light source connector,
endoscopic dissectors, endoscopic forceps, endo-
scopic scissors, endoscopic graspers, and a
malleable Durden suction cautery. The devices
Fig. 4. Sensory and motor nerve supply to the brow.
used for fixation can include a drill for a cortical tun-
The supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves are pro- nel, a drill for temporary screw fixation, a drill for use
tected during dissection. The frontal branches of the of the Endotine device (MicroAire, Charlottesville,
facial nerve lie anterior to the deep temporal fascia. Virginia, USA), or a variety of other fixation methods
(From Foad N., et al. Endoscopic Plastic Surgery. preferred by the surgeon. The endoscopic cart
QMP (Thieme NY). 2008; with permission.) should be positioned at the foot of the bed with
the surgeon positioned at the head of the bed
from training, equipment needs and operation, and (Fig. 7).
technical skills.
Fig. 5. Brow musculature. The muscles involved with brow movement are illustrated. The corrugators and proce-
rus contribute to vertical and transverse brow furrows, respectively. (From Knize DM. An anatomically based
study of the mechanism of eyebrow ptosis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1996 Jun;97(7):1321-33. https://doi.org/10.1097/
00006534-199606000-00001. PMID: 8643714; with permission. (Figure 9 in original).)
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168 Saltz & Lolofie
Fig. 6. (A) Ideal candidates for endoscopic brow lift. Ideal candidates for endoscopic brow lift are patients with
short flat foreheads with nonreceding, thick hairlines and normal skin, moderate rhytids, and minimal true skin
excess laterally and over the nasal radix. Poor candidates have high convex forehead, high receding hairline with
thin hair, thick skin, deep rhytids, and true excess skin on the forehead and brow. (B) Clinical candidates for endo-
scopic brow lift: (1) young woman, repeated user of neurotoxins for foreheads wrinkles; (2) young man with
brow asymmetry, hyperactive corrugator, and high forehead; (3) bald man with brow ptosis; (4) aging fore-
head/brow with temporal hooding “camouflaged” by artificially waxing/plucking the lateral brow. ([A] From
Foad N., et al. Endoscopic Plastic Surgery. QMP (Thieme NY). 2008; with permission.)
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My Evolution with Endoscopic Brow-Lift Surgery 169
Fig. 7. Surgical table and equipment. (From Foad N., et al. Endoscopic Plastic Surgery. QMP (Thieme NY). 2008;
with permission.)
1 cm medial to the temporal crest line. In addition, for underlying unilateral upper lid ptosis, which
the desired vector of brow elevation is also map- causes ipsilateral elevation of the brow to
ped (Fig. 8).20 compensate for upper lid ptosis. In the latter clin-
If the patient is found to have brow asymmetry ical setting, repair of eyelid ptosis often equalizes
on preoperative evaluation, careful examination brow position, avoiding overcorrection of 1 brow
should be performed for true brow asymmetry or compared with the other.
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170 Saltz & Lolofie
Fig. 8. Preoperative markings. I prefer the 4-port approach with 2 temporal and 2 paramedian incisions. The tem-
poral incisions are placed on a straight line from the nasal ala in the direction of the lateral canthus, usually 2 cm
behind the temporal hairline. The paramedian incisions are at mid pupil line and start at the hairline. (From Saltz
R, Ohana B. Thirteen Years of Experience With the Endoscopic Midface Lift, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 32,
Issue 8, November 2012, Pages 927–936, https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X12462714; with permission. (Figure 3 in
original).)
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My Evolution with Endoscopic Brow-Lift Surgery 171
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172 Saltz & Lolofie
Fig. 9. (A, B) Forehead dissection. Dissection starts at the temporal region using periosteal dissectors on the sur-
face of the deep temporal fascia in the lateral area and on the periosteum in the medial area. After these pockets
are completed, the temporal line of fusion is released in a lateral-to-medial direction. This “blind dissection” is
kept above the supraorbital rim by approximately 1 cm. The index finger of the contralateral hand stays on
top of the supraorbital rim to protect the orbit and its contents. The 30-degree-angle 4-mm endoscope is only
introduced after the temporal and forehead regions are completely undermined. The temporal pocket is devel-
oped easily and safely by smooth dissection on top of the deep temporal, above the temporalis muscle and below
the superficial temporal fascia, protecting the intermediate fat pad and the frontal branch of the facial ner-
ve.DTF, deep temporal fascia; LZTN, lateral zygomatic temporal nerve; MZTN, medial zygomatic temporal nerve;
TPF, temporal parietal fascia also known as superfical temporal fascia; ZFN, zygomatic facial nerve. (From Foad N.,
et al. Endoscopic Plastic Surgery. QMP (Thieme NY). 2008; with permission.)
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My Evolution with Endoscopic Brow-Lift Surgery 173
Fig. 10. Division of supraorbital periosteum, starting from lateral to medial with full release of the “fusion liga-
ment” and stopping short of the midline, which is the key to avoiding complete release from side to side and to
avoiding migration of the medial brow and the “surprised look.” (From Foad N., et al. Endoscopic Plastic Surgery.
QMP (Thieme NY). 2008; with permission.)
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174 Saltz & Lolofie
Fig. 12. Corrugator muscle. The corrugator muscles may be resected endoscopically with grasping forceps, taking
care not to injure the supraorbital or supratrochlear nerves. (From Foad N., et al. Endoscopic Plastic Surgery. QMP
(Thieme NY). 2008; with permission.)
damage to the deep branch of the supraorbital coordination. The ability to master both skills
nerve with permanent sensory loss and alopecia. will affect the safety and quality of the results.
Nonendoscopic “blind brow lifts” are applicable It involves significant learning curve for the
in selected patients in whom only lateral lift is surgeon and staff.
needed and no forehead wrinkles and no corruga- Surgeon and operating room personnel
tor release is indicated or required. should be familiar with the endoscopic equip-
ment and advanced technology and be able
to troubleshoot problems.
Pearls
The procedure has basically 4 steps: (1)
Endoscopic brow lifts are dependent on tech- dissection of temporal and forehead soft tis-
nology and dissociation of eye-hand sues, (2) release of supraorbital rim
Fig. 13. Endotine fixation. The Endotine divot hole is drilled through the first layer of skull bone and situated at
the caudal extent of the incision. The Endotine is snapped into place. The scalp can then be repositioned vertically
and held into place by fixation tines. Arrow demonstrates applying pressure of skin over the endotine. (From
Foad N., et al. Endoscopic Plastic Surgery. QMP (Thieme NY). 2008; with permission.)
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My Evolution with Endoscopic Brow-Lift Surgery 175
Fig. 14. Supraorbital nerve variations. Arrows demonstrate the many variations of supra orbital nerve position.
periosteum, (3) corrugator removal, and (4) muscle (unilateral or bilateral) for 2 to 4 weeks
forehead and temporal fixation. with all recovering full muscle function without
Keeping the dissector close to the deep tem- requiring any additional treatment besides reassur-
poral fascia is much safer and avoids any ance and occasional neurotoxin injections to soften
trauma to the frontal branch of the facial the temporary brow asymmetry. Endoscopic fore-
nerve. head rejuvenation is a safe and reproducible tech-
Knowledge of the anatomy of motor and sen- nique that requires proper endoscopic training
sory nerves and careful dissection during and learning curve with proper informed consent.
brow-lift surgery are essential to prevent The endoscopic approach for brow lift has many
complications. advantages and is the gold standard in forehead
Keeping the assistant’s fingers palpating the rejuvenation. It has many advantages: it provides
skin while avulsing the corrugators may pre- excellent exposure for safe release of periorbital
vent overresection of subcutaneous fat with tissues combined with endoscopic magnification;
resulting depression. it is performed through small scalp incisions with
Avoid dividing periosteum from side to side. reduced risk of alopecia and scalp sensory
Preserving the periosteum intact at midline changes compared with traditional open coronal
will prevent elevation of the medial brow and brow lift; and it can be combined with blepharo-
the “surprised look.” plasty when indicated and safe resurfacing tech-
In most cases, in women, the lateral brow needs niques (CO2 laser, trichloroacetic acid peels) to
to be elevated higher than the central and forehead and periocular areas. The technique
medial brow. In men, the elevation should be has improved over the years with a better under-
equal to avoid feminization of the male brow. standing of the periosteal adherence and conse-
Early failure is caused by inadequate release quently better fixation devices, a better
of periosteal septa and adhesions. Late failure understanding of the long-term results, and
is caused by inadequate fixation. decreased complications. It offers the patient a
much easier and safer solution for the aging fore-
SUMMARY head and the ptotic, asymmetric brow. The endo-
scopic brow lift is a time-tested method of
Our experience from 1994 to 2020 includes more providing highly accurate, precise, safe, long-
than 2000 cases with 80% of the endoscopic lasting, and aesthetically focused rejuvenation of
brow lifts combined with facelifts. The longest the entire forehead, brow, and periocular region
well-documented follow-up is 15 years with overall in a reasonable amount of time when done prop-
good long-term results and no visible scars. In our erly by a trained surgeon. It is also the safest and
series, 20% of patients report Endotine sensitivity easiest “gate” to the midface. (Figs. 15-19).20-22
for approximately 1 month and a weak frontalis
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176 Saltz & Lolofie
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