Gliding Brow Lift (GBL): A New Concept

Abstract

Background: Creating the ideal aesthetic eyebrow shape and position is an important goal in facial rejuvenation. One challenge of an eyebrow lift is to find a predictable procedure that balances the advantages and disadvantages of the available strategies. The gliding brow lifting (GBL) is a technique that provides minimal incisions, an effective and stable eyebrow lift, and offers the advantage of precise reshaping of the eyebrow. Methods: In a retrospective review, 124 patients, who underwent GBL technique from November 2015 through April 2016, were evaluated. With minimal incisions and tumescent infiltration, the subcutaneous plane of the forehead, eyebrows and temporal face is undermined releasing the skin from the underlying frontalis muscle, orbicularis oculi muscle, corrugator muscle and temporal parietal fascia. Fixation of the repositioned and reshaped eyebrow is achieved with the use of a hemostatic net for temporary cutaneous fixation. Results: The average follow-up period was 17 months. Adequate brow repositioning and/or reshaping was achieved in 118 patients. Six patients had bilateral or unilateral recurrence of ptosis. Of these patients with recurrence, four patients had the same procedure re-performed within 1 month postoperatively with successful repositioning and/or reshaping of their brow. There was no incidence of hematoma, seroma, infection, permanent sensory changes, motor dysfunction, skin flap necrosis or alopecia. Conclusion: The “gliding brow lifting” (GBL), which combines subcutaneous frontal undermining with minimal incisions, elevation and reshaping of eyebrow and use of a temporary cutaneous fixation with hemostatic net (Net), allows effective, long-lasting results with low rates of complications and satisfactory results. Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.