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Two years’ outcome of thread lifting with absorbable barbed PDO threads:
Innovative score for objective and subjective assessment
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Yasser Helmy
Al-Azhar University
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To cite this article: Dr. Yasser Helmy Ali (2017): Two years’ outcome of thread lifting with
absorbable barbed PDO threads: Innovative score for objective and subjective assessment, Journal
of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, DOI: 10.1080/14764172.2017.1368562
Article views: 66
Two years’ outcome of thread lifting with absorbable barbed PDO threads:
Innovative score for objective and subjective assessment
Dr. Yasser Helmy Ali
Plastic Surgery, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
tion modalities. Conclusion: Significant facial rejuvenation is achieved by thread lifting and highly
augmented results are observed when they are combined with Botox, fillers, and/or platelet rich plasma
(PRP) rejuvenations.
CONTACT Dr. Yasser Helmy Ali dryasserhelmy@gmail.com Plastic Surgery, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/ijcl.
© 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2 Y. H. ALI
Table 1A. Helmy’s score for objective assessment of the degree of skin lifting.
Degree of skin lifting in mm Score Description
0 0 No lifting
1–2 1 Minimal
3–6 2 Moderate
˃6–10 3 Considerable
˃10 4 Sensational
folds, in midface and in lower face to eliminate the sagging of irregularities, nasal tip definition, nasolabial angles, and in
jowls and marionette lines. lower face to fill the marionette line and the jaw line
Threads description and technique depression.
Threads used in this study were, Absorbable PDO, Barbed, FDA-approved botulinum toxins were used only to rejuve-
4D, 21 Gauge, 60 mm length for cheek lifting; 19 Gauge, nate forehead creases in upper face, crew’s feet, and nasal
90 mm length or 18 Gauge, 100 mm length for jowls and muscle overactivity in midface and Botox used to weak the
mandibular edge lifting, according to degree of skin sagging hypertrophied masseter muscle to define the mandibular angles.
and skin texture, and thickness, packed each thread separate, PRP was applied by 5 sessions protocol at first year with 1
inside blunt cannula and sterilized by EO gas. month apart and two sessions at the second year as
Steps of technique: maintenance.
Study was conducted between October 2014 till January
(1) Outpatient procedure room was under aseptic con- 2017 at the private practice among three countries. Full
ditions and complete sterilization. patient history and examination were carried out before the
(2) Procedure was done under the influence of local procedure. Informed consent for the study and photography
anesthesia infiltrated at site of entry and along the by same focal length, identical background with standard
proposed thread line, in multiple infiltration sites of views were obtained from each patient. From 63 cases seeking
2–5 ml of mepivacaine HCL 2% mixed with levo- facial rejuvenation, 55 were females aged between 35 and
nordefrin 1:20000 and 1.5–2 cm apart between each 50 years old with average age of 40, and 8 males aged from
site of injection. 45 to 55 years old. All patients were Baker I, II classified for
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(3) Threads were introduced after skin puncture by facial aging rhytidectomy, and number of threads used in each
Trocar 18 Gauge, at hair line, then cannula containing side of the face was from 2–5.
the thread is held perpendicular to the skin till it Exclusion criteria were: bleeding disorders, chronic dis-
passes through the dermis, then repositioned in par- eases, immunologic or healing disorders, facial bone defects,
allel to the face to pass through the subcutaneous cases of facial nerve injury, hereditary facial atrophy, patients
plane superficial to facia continued from the SMAS underwent previous face lifting or facial surgery or submitted
to be away from facial nerve by two layers, the SMAS before inclusion in the study for any other type of thread
and superficial layer of superficial temporal fascia. lifting. Ethical Committee of Al-Azhar university was
(4) Thread cannulation was stopped, 3 mm-6 mm approved for conducting this study.
before any proposed crease e.g. the nasolabial crease,
marionette line. Surgeon or physician should take
Results
care, because if the tip of the cannula, passes the
proposed crease, so cannula’s side hole opening will Two groups of the study underwent thread lifting, on total 42
be inside the crease, therefore thread will make subjects. It was performed alone for face lifting in group 1
traction on the crease, and the result will deep it containing 21 patients, and combined with another rejuvena-
more instead of its shallowing. tion procedure in group 2. In group 3, patients were sub-
(5) Rolling the external part of the cannula by dominant mitted to triple facial rejuvenations by fillers, Botox, and
hand and applying gentle pressure over the skin to plasma in 21 cases.
anchor the barbed thread inside the tissues. Outcome complications in all groups of the study almost
(6) Withdrawal of the cannula leaving thread inside the near each other, resembling one case/21 in each group,
track. about 4.8%.
(7) Insertion of all other threads through the proposed One case from 21 cases who were submitted for thread
subcutaneous track on both sides of the face. lifting alone, was complicated by, thread breakage and loss of
(8) Gentle traction force is applied bilaterally, on the it is potential anchoring. After long experience and practice of
corresponding threads at each side, when patient is the procedure, Author has an explanation for this technical
lying down or in sitting position. error; when he has missed the subcutaneous plane during
(9) Finally, cut the extra length with scissors forcing thread insertion and being superficial in dermis, then he
against the opening, so that no excess parts of thread tried to re-direct in subcutaneous plane, so thread broken
could remain to avoid skin irritation. and withdrawn out.
(10) Put small piece of Steri-strips to reinforce skin punc- In group 2, subjected to thread lifting and another rejuve-
ture closure and then give the patient post-proce- nation, palpability of the thread was reported in one case and
dure instructions as following: avoid facial massage, continued after 2 weeks up to 1 month with subcutaneous,
limit facial muscle overactivity for 24 hours, soft diet feeling pain and pricking of barbed thread, resembling about
in the first 3 days, sleeping on the back for first 4.8%. of the group.
weak, and prescribe analgesic or antiedematous In group 3, subjected to triple facial rejuvenations, one case
tablets only when required. No antibiotic was pre- of injected filler to the nose was complicated by infection, and
scribed for any patients. superficial skin erosion, but fortunately it healed by epitheli-
zation with topical ointment.
Hyaluronic FDA approved fillers were used to fill the No case in any group showed asymmetry, hypersensitivity,
temples, correct frontonasal angles, nasal dorsum, nasal sides hematoma, seroma, rippling and puckering, granuloma, upper
4 Y. H. ALI
20
15
10
0
Incidence Group1 Group2 Group3
eyelid ptosis, nerve injury, or sensory impairment, after the 6 months measure of skin lifting recorded 95.2% ˃6–10 mm
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procedure or throughout the follow-up period. (Figure 3) (score3) and 4.8 ˃ 10 mm (score4). At 1 year, lifting score was
Score for degree of skin lifting shows highest degree of 66.6% 3–6 mm (score2), 28.5% ˃6–10 mm (score3), and 4.8%
skin lifting, immediately, after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months ˃ 10 mm (score4). In second year’s follow-up, lifting score
follow-up, in group 2 when compared with other two was 71.5% 3–6 mm (score2), 23.8 % ˃6–10 mm (score3) and
groups. (Table 2) (Figure 4) 4.8 % has recorded ˃10 mm (score4).
In group 1, immediately after the procedure, it was 81 % In group 3, it was 100 %1–2 mm (score1) immediately after
˃6–10 mm (score3) and 19% ˃10 mm (score4). At 3 and the procedure. At 3 months, lifting score in group 3 was 24 %
6 months, lifting score in group 1 was 100% ˃6–10 mm 3–6 mm (score2) and 76% ˃6–10 mm (score3). At 6 months
(score 3). At 1 year, lifting score was 95%, 3–6 mm (score2) measure of skin lifting was recorded to be 100% “0” score
and 5% (score 3). In second year’s follow-up, lifting score was after the effect of Botox and filler subsided.
33.3% 3–6 mm (score2), 57% 1–2 mm (score1), and 9.5% has Score for degree of patient satisfaction, (Table 3) and
recorded 0 score. (Figure 5) are showing the highest degree of satisfaction, in
In group 2, it was 100 % ˃6–10 mm (score3) immediately group 2 when 100% of patients were immediatelysatisfied
after the procedure. At 3 months, lifting score in group 2 was after the procedure, this percentage showed 24% of the highly
76% 3–6 mm (score2) and 24% ˃10 mm (score4), while at satisfied upgraded to fully satisfied at 3 months, and 95%
continued to be highly satisfied at 6 months. After one year,
71.5% of the patients in group 2 were moderately satisfied,
Table 2. Lifting score results after thread lifting. 12.5% highly satisfied, and 12.5% continued to be fully satis-
Lifting score (Helmy’s score) Group 1 21 Group 2 21 Group 3 21 fied. After 2 years follow-up, 43% of the patients in group 2
Immediate were moderately satisfied, 43% highly satisfied, and 14% were
No lifting
1(1–2 mm) 21
fully satisfied.
2 (3–6 mm) In group 1, 81% of patients were immediately highly
3 (˃6–10 mm) 17 21 satisfied and 19% showed full satisfaction after the proce-
4 (˃1 cm) 4
At 3 months dure, then jumped statistically as it showed 100% of the
No lifting highly satisfaction at 3 and 6 months, then all patients
1(1–2 mm)
2 (3–6 mm) 5 declined to 100% moderate satisfaction after 1 year. After 2
3 (˃6–10 mm) 21 16 16 years of follow-up, 47.6% of the patients in group 1 were
4 (˃1 cm) 5 moderately satisfied, 38% less satisfied, and 12.3% had
At 6 months
No lifting 1 become dissatisfied.
1 (1–2 mm) In group 3, submitted for triple rejuvenations without
2 (3–6 mm) 21 20
3 (˃6–10 mm) threads, 100% showed immediately less satisfaction, and
4 (˃1 cm) after 3 months 71.5% showed high satisfaction, 19% moder-
At 1 year ate satisfaction, and 9.5% showed full satisfaction regarding
1 (1–2 mm)
2 (3–6 mm) 20 14 skin lifting, then satisfaction score declined to zero after
3 (˃6–10 mm) 1 6 6 months, when the effect of Botox and filler subsided.
4 (˃1 cm) 0 1
At 2 years However, there was overall satisfaction of patients with
0 no lifting 2 regard to the effect of PRP on skin texture, pigmentation,
1 (1–2 mm) 12
2 (3–6 mm) 7 15
and smoothing. Photography documentations for the clinical
3 (˃6–10 mm) 5 outcome were indicated in each figure caption (Figures
4 (˃1 cm) 1 6–11).
JOURNAL OF COSMETIC AND LASER THERAPY 5
score) pt. pt. pt. and it did not omit the recording of incidence of
Immediate complications.
1 (Less satisfied) In this study, all over the 2 years, complications were
2 (Moderate satisfied) 21/21
3 (Highly satisfied) reported in 3 cases out of 63, when one case showed thread
4 (Fully satisfied) 17 21 breaking, one showed palpability in thread lifting groups, and
4 one showed infection in triple rejuvenation group. All compli-
At 3 months
1 (Less satisfied) cations are resembling 4.8%. but no incidence of asymmetry,
2 (Moderate satisfied) infection, edema, granuloma (11), seroma, and hematoma
3 (Highly satisfied)
4 (Fully satisfied) 21 16 4 (10,13) was observed. This may be explained as thread in this
5 15 study was inserted using blunt cannula and not a sharp needle.
2 No nerve damage, upper eyelid ptosis, persistent rippling and
At 6 months
1 (Less satisfied) puckering, skin erosion, sensory impairment or hypersensitiv-
2 (Moderate satisfied) ity or chronic pain (12) were reported similar to other studies.
3 (Highly satisfied) 21 20
4 (Fully satisfied) 0 1 In previous two studies conducted on thread-lifting tech-
At 1 year niques, one was carried out by Abraham (14) regarding use of
1 (Less satisfied)
2 (Moderate satisfied) 21 15
thread lifting combined with radiofrequency and micro-need-
3 (Highly satisfied) 3 ling for treatment of superficial rhytids, it showed improved
4 (Fully satisfied) 3 results, and one article was published by Sarah Tonks, titled
At 2 year
0 (Dissatisfied) 3 Understanding Thread Lifting (4) which concluded that thread
1 (Less satisfied) 8 lifting could be conjugated with other treatment modalities to
2 (Moderate satisfied) 10 9
3 (Highly satisfied) 0 9 augment the aesthetic outcome and best effects. Both studies
4 (Fully satisfied) 0 3 include our findings.
This study shows the highest significant outcome of thread
lifting and sustained results beyond 1 year and continues till 2
Discussion years, in both groups where threads were used. In the study
Worldwide concept about minimal or less invasive facial reju- group 2 where thread was combined with other modalities,
venations has gained high popularity among physicians and Botox, filler and plasma, 100 % of the group populations
clients who are seeking facial skin lifting and rejuvenation (4,7). immediately showed more than 6–10 mm skin lifting immedi-
Histopathological evidence of collagen stimulation and fibrosis ately after the procedure. At 3 months, skin lifting in group 2,
(4) formation has been studied and confirmed; however, not was 3–6 mm in 76% of patients and sensational skin lifting
many reports about histology for long time follow-up are pre- more than 1 cm in 24% the group. While at 6 months of
sent. Collagen is formed around the thread and its cogs or barbs measuring skin lifting has recorded 95.2% showing consider-
and induces more effect (8,9). able ˃6–10 mm lifting of the skin and 4.8 showed sensational
Studies (10,11) conducted before and published by many lifting ˃1 cm. At 1 year, measuring of skin lifting, recorded
authors (10,12) have focused on methods and complications 66.6% showed 3–6 mm, 28.5 showed ˃6–10 mm, considerable
mainly (13), and it was recommended by some authors like lifting and 4.8 showed sensational lifting more than 1 cm.
Shimizu Yuki and Kane Terase (4) from Japan, to undertake At 2 year, measuring of skin lifting, recorded 71.5% showed
long-term observations and assessments. 3–6 mm, 23.8% showed ˃6–10 mm, considerable lifting and
This study included long-term follow-up till 2 years after 4.8% showed sensational lifting more than 1 cm. No case
thread insertion, and has evaluated lifting degrees by showed minimal lifting 1–2 mm or zero lifting in this group.
6 Y. H. ALI
20
15
10
Figure 6A. 50 years old female patient submitted for barbed thread lifting only Figure 7A. 55 years old male patient submitted for barbed thread lifting alone.
with considerable skin lifting about 10mm and immediate high patient satisfac- Pre-thread lifting photo lateral view.
tion. Pre-thread photo frontal view.
Figure 7B. 3 months’ post-thread lifting lateral view. Considerable lifting about
Figure 6B. Immediate post-thread lifting results front view. 9 mm with high patient satisfaction.
JOURNAL OF COSMETIC AND LASER THERAPY 7
Figure 8A. 55 years old female patient submitted for barbed thread lifting and Figure 9B. 3 months’ Post- thread lifting front view.
PRP rejuvenation. Pre-thread lifting photo front view.
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Figure 9C. 6 months’ Post-thread lifting and immediate after re-filler and re-
Figure 8B. 6 months’ post-thread lifting front view. Considerable lifting about 8 Botox. front view.
mm with high patient satisfaction.
Figure 9A. 42 years old female patient submitted for barbed thread lifting, Figure 9D. 1 year post-thread lifting lateral view. Sensational lifting more than
which has augmented by fillers and Botox. 10 mm with high patient satisfaction.
8 Y. H. ALI
Figure 10A. 52 years old female patient submitted for barbed thread lifting with Figure 11B. Post 2 years thread lifting front view.
filler and PRP rejuvenations. Pre-thread lifting photo frontal view.
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Figure 10B. 2 years post-thread lifting front view. Moderate skin lifting about 4
mm with moderate patient satisfaction at 2 years. Figure 11C. Pre-thread lifting lateral view.
Figure 11A. 50 years old female patient submitted for barbed thread lifting
alone with sensational lifting and high satisfaction at 2 years. Pre-thread lifting
photo frontal view. Figure 11D. 2 years post-thread lifting lateral view.
JOURNAL OF COSMETIC AND LASER THERAPY 9
In group 1, where thread lifting was used alone it showed also facial skin lifting and rejuvenations were long lasting achieved
considerable degrees of facial skin lifting. At 1 year, measuring of by threads throughout the 24 follow up months, although
skin lifting, recorded 95.5% showed 3–6 mm lifting, 5% showed results are showing gradual decrease in the degree of skin
more than 6–10 mm, considerable skin lifting. At 2 year, measur- lifting by time. The effects of the threads were highly aug-
ing of skin lifting, recorded 33.3% showed 3–6 mm, moderate skin mented when they were combined with Botox, fillers or plate-
lifting, 57% showed 1–2 mm, minimal lifting, 9.5 % showed no let rich plasma rejuvenations. Further studies are required to
lifting. assess the longevity beyond 2 years.
The study also shows potent effect of Botox for lifting and
rejuvenation of forehead and fillers for nasolabial lines, marionette
lines, nasal, facial, mandibular angles, and other lines by dermal Conflict of interest
filling and lifting, but their effects are temporary and limited till Author declares that there is no conflict of interest or any financial
6 months. funding for this study.
In group 3, it was 100 % shows 3–10 mm skin lifting,
couple of days after triple rejuvenation by Botox, fillers, and
PRP without thread lifting, but skin lifting has declined to References
zero in this group after 6 months.
1. Khazanchi R, Aggarwal A, Johar M. Anatomy of aging face.
Study conducted by Khrustaleva (13), et al reported follow-
Indian J Plast Surg. 2007;40:223–29. doi:10.4103/0970-
up for 1 year has used lifting thread in Baker groups from 2 to 0358.37775.
3, and showed 91% satisfaction and 86 % satisfaction, respec-
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