OBJECTIVE:

To review the role of open forehead procedures in upper-face rejuvenation.

METHODS:

The clinical records of consecutive patients undergoing a coronal or trichophytic brow-lift from July 1, 1993, to June 30, 2005, were reviewed. Patient demographics and complication rates were tabulated and compared with published rates for endoscopic brow-lifts. Patient questionnaires were sent to correlate subjective outcome measures with objective clinical record data. To obtain population-based perceptions, 200 women aged 30 to 70 years were surveyed at a local mall.

RESULTS:

A total of 628 coronal and 376 trichophytic forehead-lifts were performed for which there were clinical records. There were 6 revisions (0.57%), no hematomas, 12 cases of permanent numbness (1.20%), 7 cases of permanent alopecia (0.70%), and no cases of permanent frontal branch weakness. The adjusted response rate for the questionnaire was 64.0% (416 of 650).

CONCLUSIONS:

Open procedures in this series had a complication rate equal to or lower than published rates in endoscopic brow-lift series. Open brow-lift procedures are an effective means of upper-face rejuvenation and, when performed correctly, demonstrate high rates of patient satisfaction.