Platysmectomy: an effective intervention for facial synkinesis and hypertonicity.

OBJECTIVES

To describe a procedure to permanently address platysmal synkinesis and hypertonicity and to report changes in quality of life associated with platysmectomy using the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation instrument.

METHODS

Chemodenervation significantly relieves platysmal synkinesis in almost all patients with significant face and neck synkinesis associated with dynamic facial expressions. We recently began to offer platysmectomy as part of a permanent solution to chronic superficial torticollis-like neck symptoms. For a 10-month period, 24 patients underwent the procedure, and preoperative and postoperative Facial Clinimetric Evaluation data were obtained from 21 patients (88%).

RESULTS

In 19 patients, platysmectomy was performed using local anesthesia without sedation. In the remaining 5 patients, platysmectomy was performed using general anesthesia concurrent with free gracilis transfer for smile reanimation. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Overall, the patients' quality of life significantly improved after platysmectomy (P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Platysmectomy is straightforward and seems effective in treating neck synkinesis associated with chronic hypertonic platysmal activity.