Morphological Changes in Faces Depending on Posture

Abstract

Facial surgeries are usually performed with the patient in the supine position; however, it is crucial to predict postoperative results in the upright position. This study aimed to clarify the posture-related morphological changes in the facial soft tissue regarding age and sex, using physical measurements to obtain results in specific linear metric measurements of standard facial features. One hundred healthy volunteers were divided into four groups based on age and sex (25 young men, 25 young women, 25 old men, 25 old women). For all participants, 18 measuring points were marked on the skin along with 18 paired linear measurements, and the angle was measured using a digital sliding caliper and angle meter in both upright and supine positions. In all four groups, the intercanthal width (en-en), binocular width (ex-ex), length of the eye fissure (en-ex), length of the nasal bridge (n-prn), width of the nose (al-al), height of the lower face (sn-gn), vermilion height of the lower lip (sto-li), height of the lower lip (sto-sl), width of the philtrum (cphi-cphi), width of the mouth (ch-ch), and nasolabial angle (NLA) were significantly larger in the supine position than in the upright position. The increase was larger in the older age groups than in the younger age groups. Moreover, the increase was larger in old men than in old women. During facial surgery involving these areas, surgeons should consider the patient's age and sex and understand what facial figuration change would occur depending on posture and change their preoperative design or make minor adjustments during operation in the supine position to increase patient satisfaction.