PERCUTANEOUS SELECTIVE RADIOFREQUENCY NEUROABLATION IN PLASTIC-SURGERY

A new technique in aesthetic plastic surgery called Percutaneous Selec tive Radio-frequency Neuroablation (PSRN) is proposed. Radio-frequency energy is applied via the percutaneous route to interrupt selected te rminal fibers of the facial nerve in order to modify the facial dynami cs. An easy-to-construct electronic system is used to perform both thr ee-dimensional perioperative location (by means of electrical stimulat ion) and percutaneous electrofulguration of the target nerve. PSRN was found useful in ameliorating noticeable forehead and frown wrinkles c aused by muscular hyperactivity as well as in achieving a more balance d face in cases of unilateral postrhyticrectomy facial paralysis of th e temporal branch of the facial nerve. Twenty-one patients underwent P SRN with encouraging results. In this report, the electrophysiological bases, technique, animal experiments, and initial clinical experience of PSRN are presented.