The Gliding Browlift: An Analysis of Outcomes and Maintenance of Lift in a Single Surgeon's Practice.

Abstract

Background: Efforts in browlifting longevity, desire for minimally invasive procedures, patient individualization, and minimization of complications led to the development of the gliding brow lift (GBL). The GBL has proven to be a successful, minimally invasive technique targeting brow elevation in combination with the hemostatic net.

Objectives: To evaluate maintenance of cutaneous brow elevation with the GBL technique at specific post-operative time points.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 63 patients (59 females; 4 males) who underwent a GBL by the senior author (JCG) between 2019 and 2022 for co-morbidities, maintenance of brow lift, and incidence of complications at four post-operative time points: 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Pre- and postoperative photographs were analyzed at four anatomic locations: supraorbital rim, lateral canthus, mid pupil, and medial canthus.

Results: The cohort consisted of 59 female-only patients; male patients were excluded due to small sample size. The average age of 62.8 years old (SD ±7.01) and a mean BMI of 24. Only one patient required return to the operating room for hematoma evacuation; this was a result of a concomitant rhytidectomy and not involving the brow. All locations maintained a statistically significant lift (p<0.01). The most significant lift was at the lateral canthus (3.09 mm) and tail of the brow (2.74 mm) at 1 year post-operatively.

Conclusions: The GBL is a successful innovation in aesthetic brow surgery. Depending on patient needs, it is an excellent choice for selective and long-term elevation of the lateral brow.