The effect of propofol on hematoma formation in rhytidectomy.

Significant surgical advances in face-lift surgery have evolved over the years, including wider flap undermining, the development of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system as a separate layer, and appropriate platysmal and coronal procedures. These more radical concepts offer improved results, but they may be associated with more complications, the most frequent being hematoma formation. A retrospective study of 386 patients was undertaken over a period of 5 years. Patients were separated into two groups: those that were sedated with a drug combination of diazepam, meperidine hydrochloride, and methohexital sodium; and those sedated with propofol. Patients sedated with propofol were more than twice as likely to develop a hematoma than those sedated with the other drug regimen. Although the hematoma rate with propofol is similar to that reported with other drugs, this increased risk must be carefully considered when one is choosing an anesthetic for rhytidectomy.