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by David Kupfer, M.D. & Gilbert Lee, M.D.
In the mid 1980s,
revolutionary changes took place in general surgery allowing many common
operations to be performed through the eyes of an endoscope instead of
through standard large incisions. This brought about many advances in
equipment, technology and technique. In the 1990s, that technology has
made its way into plastic surgery, providing patients with exciting new
alternatives.
Endoscopic surgery is a
technique in which the surgery is done through tiny incisions enabling the
surgeon to view the operation on a television monitor. The endoscope is a
1/4 inch diameter tube filled with fiberoptic cables, which transmits
light to form a visual image. With an endoscope, a plastic surgeon can
visualize structures and perform operations through these tiny incisions
just large enough to admit passage of the instrument.
Endoscopic
Surgery Is Ideal For
Brow Lifts And Other Procedures
The most common endoscopic plastic surgical procedure is the forehead or
brow lift. The brow lift removes wrinkles from the upper face, and
eliminates the frowning or angry appearance of aging eyebrows. It is a
wonderful procedure for rejuvenating the upper face.
A forehead lift can be done in conjunction with eyelid surgery or a
facelift. The advantages of the endoscopic technique are tremendous.
A conventional forehead lift requires an extensive incision that goes from
one ear to the other. This can leave patients with an area of numbness
involving the scalp as well as the potential for some hair loss along the
scar line.
With the
endoscopic forehead lift using minimal incisions, the potential for these
problems has been virtually eliminated. The endoscopic procedure is
suitable for all patients. It is particularly efficacious for patients
with thinning hair who would otherwise be unable to disguise the long
scalp incisions. Furthermore, with the minimal incisions used, the
recovery is faster with less bruising.
We have used endoscopic surgery in our practice for the last four years
and no longer find it necessary to use the conventional approach.
Consider These Other Recent Endoscopic Advances
Endoscopic surgery is extremely useful in other cosmetic procedures as
well. These procedures include tummy tucks (abdominoplasty), facelifts and
breast augmentation (breast implants).
Certain patients who desire improvement in the appearance of their abdomen
will benefit from the use of endoscopic surgery. Those patients, who have
relative weakness involving the muscles which creates fullness in the
abdomen, without an excessive amount of skin, do well with the endoscopic
approach to tightening and narrowing the waist. Liposuction can be added
to this procedure, which can produce very gratifying results that
traditionally would have required larger incisions.
Aspects of the
face-lifting procedure have also been improved with endoscopic surgery,
especially in regard to a newer technique called the midface lift. This
procedure is perfectly suited when repositioning the skin that has sagged
in the midportion of the face. Endoscopic surgery allows the procedure to
be performed effortlessly and with precision. Finally, breast augmentation
can also be performed with the aid of endoscopic surgery. When a patient
elects to have breast implants placed through an incision in the armpit,
endoscopic surgery increases the accuracy of placement. Endoscopic breast
augmentation is undoubtedly the most important advance in cosmetic surgery
within the last 10 years. The emerging field of endoscopic surgery has
added significantly to the plastic surgeon’s ability to perform
aesthetic surgery with minimum side effects. These exciting advances have
enabled more people than ever to undergo cosmetic procedures and enjoy a
rapid recovery with predictable excellent results.
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