Rejuvenation

Facial muscles

Biology

Surgery

Compartment (ship)

Cheek

Biochemistry

Compartmentalization (fire protection)

Geology

Oceanography

Dissection (medical)

Anatomy

Enzyme

Nasolabial fold

Facial rejuvenation

Rhytidoplasty

Medicine

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Summary: The facial fat compartments were described over a decade ago, but their clinical relevance to both deflation and techniques in facial rejuvenation is underappreciated. Although much of the literature following their description has focused on further anatomical elucidation of compartment anatomy, clinical relevance has focused on volumetric compartment augmentation. From the authors’ perspective, understanding compartmentalization of facial fat provides an anatomical roadmap of the facial subcutaneous plane and a patient-specific guide for the degree of skin flap dissection in facial rejuvenation. The compartmentalization of facial fat also explains the regional development of cheek deflation in aging. An individualized treatment plan to restore facial shape can be achieved with deep compartment volume augmentation and repositioning of superficial facial fat using the superficial musculoaponeurotic system.

The Facial Fat Compartments Revisited: Clinical Relevance to Subcutaneous Dissection and Facial Deflation in Face Lifting