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Suture Elevation Technique Advances Minimally Invasive Neck Rejuvenation

Article-Suture Elevation Technique Advances Minimally Invasive Neck Rejuvenation

Today’s consumers are neck focused. They look at their necks on Zoom calls, they stretch on selfies to reveal a more streamlined neck contour. And, they are visiting cosmetic practices for treatment options.

Today’s consumers are neck focused. They look at their necks on Zoom calls, they stretch on selfies to reveal a more streamlined neck contour. And, they are visiting cosmetic practices for treatment options.

Invented by Beverly Hills, Calif.-based, plastic surgeon Gregory Mueller, MD, FACS, MyEllevate (Newport Beach, Calif.) is a surgical suture system that offers today’s patients what they want in a minimally invasive cosmetic necklift.

John R. Burroughs, MD Medical Director Springs Aesthetics Colorado Springs, CO

John R. Burroughs, MD Medical Director
Springs Aesthetics Colorado Springs, CO

“MyEllevate fills a very important niche for a minimally invasive in-office procedure that provides lifting and contouring of the neck, including sagging skin, herniated submandibular glands, and even the vertical and horizontal neck bands,” said John R. Burroughs, MD, a fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery and medical director of Springs Aesthetics in Colorado Springs, Colo.

MyEllevate is not the first suture elevation technique for ptotic neck tissue concerns, but it is different in that it offers ICLED technology, which allows precise placement of the suture in the optimal plane between skin and underlying platysma.

“The stiff suture rod facilitates passage through eight small puncture sites,” Dr. Burroughs noted. “The suture is solidly attached centrally on the lighted rod, and I have had no incidence of suture detachment. The provided adhesive template standardizes optimal puncture site placement that follows ideal submandibular angle alignment yielding a very natural appearing multivector lift.”

Ideal Candidates & Patient Expectations

Ideal candidates for MyEllevate treatment have mild-to-moderate submental skin sagging with loss of an aesthetic cervicomental angle; mild vertical platysmal bands; horizontal neck lines; and displeasing submandibular contours from protruding submandibular glands. Other suitable candidates include those with more significant skin sagging, platysmal bands, deep horizontal neck bands, and even horizontal rolls of skin in the lower neck, according to Dr. Burroughs.

Providers generally achieve optimal results treating skin with good elasticity. MyEllevate might not be the ideal treatment option for those with severe amounts of sagging skin; very wide and prominent platysmal bands; hypertrophic herniating submandibular glands; significant subplatysmal fat; microgenia; and exceptionally low hyoids.

Dr. Burroughs helps patients envision potential outcomes by having them look at their necks in a mirror while using a 3-point fixation (thumb centrally, middle finger under the submental angle, and the ring/small finger laterally) to pull and lift the neck skin. The maneuver, he said, can also be done unilaterally so patients can self-assess the improvement to the other side.

MyEllevate appeals to a wide array of patients, including those wanting to rejuvenate neck tissue ptosis.

“Many who are trying to prejuvenate, seek the MyEllevate procedure to improve early changes without having to undergo incisional surgical techniques,” Dr. Burroughs pointed out. “Additionally, those that want an in-office procedure with just local anesthetic rather than deep sedation or general anesthesia, find the MyEllevate procedure very appealing. Recovery is exceptionally fast, and many can work the next day, but they are discouraged from any neck flexion or exertional activity for two weeks.”

Dr. Burroughs often uses MyEllevate in combination with other procedures, including with subdermal radiofrequency technology to further tighten and lift sagging neck skin.
“Many patients also have either familial or acquired excess fat of the neck that requires concomitant suction aspirationliposuction,” he said.

Before and after a NeckTite procedure with MyEllevate Photos courtesy of John R. Burroughs, MD

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