The Single Incision Minimally Invasive (SIMI) Neck Lift

BACKGROUND: With the increased focus on the neck and chin in the era of selfies and social media, neck contouring continues to be an in-demand procedure. Full correction of the neck typically requires both submental and postauricular incisions, but the postauricular incisions can be unsightly and painful. This article introduces a viable alternative for the patient. METHODS: A case series of appropriate candidates undergoing a novel neck lift technique (the single incision minimally invasive neck lift) is described. Participants include men and women with an age range of 30–70. The surgical technique incorporates shifting of the typical submental incision used in a full neck lift to a cervicomental incision, and when accompanied by wide undermining, the postauricular incisions are avoided entirely. RESULTS: Among the 20 patients in this case study, photographs show that it is possible to achieve results commonly associated with a full neck lift but without the postauricular incisions typically associated with a full neck lift. CONCLUSIONS: The single incision minimally invasive neck lift allows the surgeon to offer an effective procedure for appropriate candidates who want to treat excess fat, a sagging platysma muscle and loose, misplaced skin in the submental region without postauricular incisions typically utilized in a traditional full neck lift.