[Study of the local anatomy and clinical practice about rhytidectomy of nasolabial fold].

OBJECTIVE: A technique is introduced to improve the operative result of rhytidectomy of the nasolabial fold. METHODS: Regional anatomy was studied on 10 adult cadavers together with histological examinations of tissue sections to investigate the formation mechanism of the nasolabial fold. 13 patients were operated on using a new technique of nasolabial fold rhytidectomy. RESULTS: Prolonged and repeated movements of the facial mimetic muscles produce a shearing force between the skin-subcutaneous tissue and the SMAS-mimetic muscles, causing relative motion of adjacent tissues with different structure at the site of the nasolabial fold, thus producing the nasolabial fold. In clinical application of the finding, the nasolabial folds of 13 patients were corrected with remarkable early and long-term results postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The operation should be performed between SMAS and the subcutaneous tissue. SMAS should be incised along the zygomatic major muscle. The fibro-fatty zygomatic pad should be replaced anatomically and the zygomatic ligament be reconstructed.