A review of 685 rhytidectomies: a new method of analysis based on digitally processed photographs with computer-processed data.

It is the aim of this work to present a simple method to assess the surgery used for facial aging (face-neck lift), based on a digital computerized analysis of images, and to include an evaluation of the results obtained from its use on 685 cases of face lift, which our team resolved from January of 1990 to December of 1997. To this end, we reviewed 4110 preoperative and postoperative slides of these patients and processed them using a computer, obtaining the results presented herein. It is worthy of note that in this new method of analysis that we have used, data, measurements, or aspects of facial aging have revealed the most homogeneity and reliability when comparing the results obtained with the reality observed by both the surgeon and the patient. Likewise, we rejected other analyzed data, as they gave different or unreal results when compared with the reality.