Miami Doctor Using New Technology in Cosmetic Surgery

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Dr. Ary Krau, a Miami plastic surgeon, is using a new medical device to perform minimally invasive midface suspension surgery (cheek lift). The Endotine Midface, developed by Coapt Systems, is an innovative, bio-absorbable device designed to improve the aesthetic results of midface suspension for patients who would like to restore the natural cheek elevation and volume of their youth.

"Patients who choose to undergo cosmetic surgery are looking for a very natural end result and often express nervousness that it will be obvious to others that they have had cosmetic surgery," said Krau. "Endotine Midface allows me to shape and secure the midface region to restore the patient's youthful cheek elevation -- in many cases taking several years of age off the face -- without the need for a full face lift."

Midface suspension surgery, also referred to as a cheek lift, surgically corrects sagging midface tissues and softens the hollows that appear just below the eyes. It can also diminish the nasolabial fold that becomes more prominent with age.

Often called "the young person's facelift," the Endotine Midface procedure works best on younger patients in their 30s and 40s who may not yet be ready for a full traditional face lift, which is more invasive and requires considerable downtime.

During the procedure, a tiny incision is made in the hairline. The surgeon uses a small endoscopic and special instruments to lift the delicate midface tissues off the cheekbones. The cheek is then elevated and firmly secured into its new position. The Endotine device uses multiple points of contact to grasp and hold tissue in its elevated position, providing the surgeon with the ability to adjust the device to ensure the elevation is appropriate and cheek volume and projection are optimal.

Currently, most midface lifts are performed using suture-based fixation techniques. Many surgeons do not perform this procedure because these sutures are cumbersome, technically challenging and do not often provide satisfactory or predictable results. The Endotine Midface was designed to counter these problems and offer a simple, easy to use, and predictable method of midface suspension.

Ary Krau, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has been in private practice in Bal Harbor Islands, Fla. since 1997. Krau became nationally known as one of the stars of the Bravo TV reality series "Miami Slice," which aired in September 2004.

Source: Ary Krau, MD, FACS