ASPS Aesthetica 2017 Symposium: New Orleans
ASPS Aesthetica 2017 Symposium
Dr. Minhee Ryu participated as a presenter at the Aesthetica 2017 Symposium, hosted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in New Orleans, where he delivered a lecture on facelift anatomy and surgical refinement involving the orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) and zygomaticus major muscle (ZMM). His presentation demonstrated how including the OOM within the SMAS flap enhances flap stability and improves midface rejuvenation outcomes, particularly in patients with thin tissue or post-bony surgery changes.
Drawing upon the foundational techniques of Drs. Aston, Mendelson, and Marten, Dr. Ryu introduced his hybrid facelift method, previously published in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery. The symposium also explored evolving industry trends and clinic management strategies, with Dr. Ryu emphasizing authenticity and patient-centered communication as the cornerstone of sustainable aesthetic practice.
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The Aesthetica 2017 symposium hosted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) was held in New Orleans from March 2–4. The symposium covered not only surgical techniques but also offered many practical insights into clinic management, with a noticeable focus on keeping pace with current trends.
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In the Practice Management sessions, the largest emphasis was placed on social media and online platforms. This reflects both the increasing importance of these tools and the intensifying competition in the field. Many sessions dealt specifically with the types of social media, their impact, and how to utilize them effectively.
Notably, over half of the speakers were practicing plastic surgeons, so the audience could hear vivid, real-world experiences. The sessions also mentioned the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which was established to protect personal medical information. It was encouraging to see ethical guidelines being proactively developed and implemented, which showed a strong sense of responsibility.
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There were many useful tips on content creation and exposure frequency, but ultimately, I believe the most effective strategy is to remain authentic and strengthen direct communication with patients. The true essence of social media lies in increased transparency and connectivity, which naturally elevates the status of the patient. It is becoming increasingly difficult to control perceptions through mass media or clumsy marketing tactics. What matters most is a sincere effort to deliver results and service that meet patient expectations — technical tips are only helpful when rooted in this authenticity.
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At the conference, I was delighted to reconnect with Dr. Dennis Hammond, whom I first met during the ASPS Annual Meeting in Chicago in 2008 when I was a fellow. I later visited him in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to study under his guidance. His active teaching, dedication to mentorship, stable clinic management, and disciplined lifestyle taught me many valuable lessons. When I was seeking out American experts to learn more about facelift techniques, his advice was incredibly helpful. He remains one of my role models in both medicine and life.
A memorable topic from the anti-aging session was “Avoiding the Persistent Jowl After Facelift.” The jowl is a significant sign of facial aging and notoriously difficult to improve. Although this has long been debated, a definitive solution has yet to emerge. One particularly impressive speaker was Dr. Patrick Sullivan from Brown University, who emphasized the importance of tailoring treatment based on an analysis of the underlying causes — viewing the problem through the lenses of sagging and volume loss. To correct sagging, he stressed that a facelift involving release of retaining ligaments was necessary, and for volume, fat grafting could be used as needed. Interestingly, he argued that the buccal fat pad, often cited as a cause of jowls, does not actually have much impact. His excellent surgical results appeared to support his theory. Even if his views differ from established experts, I believe that clear rationale and strong outcomes can potentially reshape existing theories.
At this year’s conference, I gave a presentation on my personal facelift technique and the anatomical positioning of the muscles around the cheekbone area. Facelift methods vary among experts, as do theories and interpretations of facial aging and rejuvenation. In particular, the cheekbone region is anatomically complex, and relatively little is known about the orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM). My presentation shared the results of my anatomical research as well as my surgical approach to facelifts.
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There were two major components to the presentation:
First was an anatomical study of the relationship between the orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) and the zygomaticus major muscle (ZMM). The anatomical boundaries of the OOM have been largely unexplored until now, and as ligament release techniques have become more common, it has become meaningful to examine their spatial relationship. The study showed that the OOM sufficiently covers the ZMM, and unless the OOM is elevated, the ZMM cannot be exposed structurally. In other words, in order to identify the ZMM and surrounding structures, the OOM must first be dissected. Many facelift techniques now aim to improve not only the lower face but also the midface, and while there is broad consensus on the importance of retaining ligament release beneath the SMAS layer, there has been ongoing debate and ambiguity regarding the anatomical relationship between the SMAS and OOM. I hope this study makes a small contribution toward clarifying those uncertainties.
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The second part of the presentation addressed the inclusion of the OOM in the SMAS flap. Doing so offers the benefit of creating a thicker and more stable flap in the typically thin anterior portion of the SMAS. The essence of a facelift is to lift sagging tissues and improve facial contours. To achieve this, dissection, repositioning, and fixation are all essential — and any one of these being inadequate can compromise results. Some techniques note that the cheekbone region’s tissue is thin and easily torn, making both dissection and fixation difficult. This leads to less satisfactory results in the midface. However, by including the OOM in the SMAS flap dissection, one can secure a thick, durable flap, allowing firm fixation of lifted tissue and increasing the potential for stable, lasting results. This is especially valuable when correcting midfacial sagging caused by bone surgeries.
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In fact, this technique is not new.
Dr. Aston, in his FAME technique, manually dissects the prezygomatic space between the OOM and ZMM, lifting the lower lateral portion of the OOM into the SMAS flap.
Dr. Mendelson, in his Limited Dissection Composite Facelift, also elevates the OOM together with the SMAS and applies the theory that the OOM and platysma exist on the same layer.
Dr. Marten’s Lamellar High SMAS Facelift also includes elevation of the malar OOM within the SMAS flap.
The inclusion of the OOM in the SMAS flap has been practiced and validated by global experts for nearly 30 years. My own technique is a fusion of these approaches and was published in 2015 in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery (SCI-indexed). I presented this facelift method in-depth at this year’s Aesthetica symposium, which sparked positive discussions.
Beyond academic content, the symposium also offered practical insights into clinic management, showing a strong effort to align with evolving industry trends. For me personally, this conference was especially meaningful as it served as a critical step in preparing a future paper. Tidying up a previously scattered draft while preparing for the presentation helped clarify my thoughts and hone in on the core message.
I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to the development of anatomical understanding related to Asian facelift surgery, even in a small way. I will continue to work not only toward delivering presentations at prestigious academic meetings but also toward leaving a lasting contribution through published research.
Dr. Minhee Ryu, M.D.
RNWOOD Plastic Surgery
Seoul, South Korea
(Source: https://blog.naver.com/rejuvemaster )
Dr. Minhee Ryu is a World-Class FACELIFT Specialist and Global Educator, who is deeply committed to sharing his facial rejuvenation surgery and anatomy expertise. As a lecturer, tutor, and demonstrator, he is invited to deliver DEEP PLANE FACELIFT presentations and perform live surgery and cadaver dissection Demonstrations in more than 15 countries, including Korea, the US, Europe, Singapore, Australia, Japan, and beyond.
Recognized worldwide for his expertise in DEEP PLANE FACELIFT, Dr. Ryu is a Faculty Member at MAFAC since 2016, a guest Faculty Member at Mayo Clinic since 2023, and an Editorial Board Member for the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal (SCI) since 2019. He is an active member of KSPRS, ASPS, ASAPS, and ISAPS. As a global top-tier leader in Facelifts, Dr. Minhee Ryu makes dedicated contributions to academic advancement and surgical education.
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