In the study, the incidence of hematoma in male patients significantly dropped to 3.97 percent from 8.7 percent once all patients followed a strict blood pressure control regimen.
"Blood vessels are like plumbing. If the pressure is too high in your water pipes, they are going to start leaking. It is the same in people. After surgery, if a person's blood pressure is too high, it will cause the little vessels in that area to bleed," said Daniel Baker, MD, ASPS member and study author.
A hematoma is an abnormal, localized collection of clotted blood. One of the most common complications following a facelift, hematomas are not life threatening, easily corrected and rarely interfere with final results if addressed by a plastic surgeon within 24 hours. If a hematoma occurs and is addressed quickly, it does not impact healing time.
Men are more likely to suffer from hematomas than women after a facelift due to skin differences. Men have thicker skin than women and more blood vessels, which requires more blood flow. The hair follicles on men's faces produce the fastest-growing hair on a man's body, also requiring a greater blood supply.
To decrease the risk of hematoma, all patients should undergo a careful preoperative evaluation by their plastic surgeon, as well as manage and stabilize their blood pressure with the help of their primary care physician. Patients can further help decrease the risk of hematoma by discontinuing all medications that can cause bl
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Contact: LaSandra Cooper
media@plasticsurgery.org
847-228-9900
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
28-Nov-2005