Objective. To improve the outcomes of anti-aging facial surgery via prevention of severe postoperative lymphedema.

Material and methods. There were 40 menopausal women aged 52-65 years with body mass index 20-23 kg/m2. All women had similar parameters of facial aging and thickness of subcutaneous fatty tissue. Deep frontotemporomalar lifting, upper and lower blepharoplasty, SMAS lifting and lateral platysmoplasty were carried out under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into several groups depending on the management: group 1 — crystalloids only (ionosteril, sterofundin) 3-4 ml/kg/hour; group 2 — gelofusine 500 ml once at the beginning of surgery, then only crystalloids (ionosteril, sterofundin) 3-4 ml/kg/hour; group 3 — crystalloids only (ionosteril, sterofundin) 3-4 ml/kg/hour + postoperative glucocorticoids (dexamethasone 8 mg intraoperatively, 8 mg in 24 and 72 hours after surgery ); group 4 — crystalloids only (ionosteril, sterofundin) 3-4 ml/kg/hour + taping. We used direct morphometric measurement and ultrasound followed by computer analysis of images.

Results. Composite surface measurement and echogenicity value were 185.3±6.8 and 20.8±16.2 in group 1, 169.4±7.5 and 32.9±17.4 in group 2, 169.2±5.6 and 34.5±15.8 in group 3, 170.8±6.5 and 31.9±16.8 in group 4.

Conclusion. Infusion of colloids and glucocorticoids together with lymphatic drainage taping in postoperative period are required to reduce severity and duration of postoperative lymphedema in anti-aging facial surgery.

Keywords. facelift, lymphedema, infusion therapy, colloids, glucocorticoids, taping, face and neck surgery, face ultrasound, prevention