Using PDO threads: A scarcely studied rejuvenation technique. Case report and systematic review

Abstract

Background: Thread lifting procedures for facial rejuvenation have made great strides with the development of absorbable threads. Although they have gained fame among plastic surgeons and dermatologists, there have been very few studies published in scientific articles on the effects of absorbable threads in facial rejuvenation, as well as few studies published by aesthetic physicians. The most effective and efficient techniques to determine the adequate place to insert the reabsorbable thread, and the different ways to evaluate the effectiveness of these aesthetic procedures, are still unknown.

Objectives: This review aims to identify, in the scientific literature, the evaluation techniques for a safe and correct insertion of PDO threads in facial rejuvenation procedures.

Methodology: A review of scientific literature was performed using the following list of keywords, descriptors, or thesauri: PDO threads, aesthetics, facial rejuvenation. Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were used for the literature search. Articles from years 2012-2022 were selected. The reference lists of the identified articles were included. (16) out of (35) articles associated with the topic were selected. Simple and compound searches were performed with the keywords and very few rigorous studies about the use of PDO threads for aesthetic procedures were found.

Results: Very few rigorous scientific studies on the use of PDO threads for facial rejuvenation procedures were found. There is a strong theoretical and methodological gap on this subject, and, also, on the evaluation techniques that could be used for the safe and correct insertion of the threads.

Conclusion: The bibliographic information found shows a huge theoretical and methodological gap in the subject of procedures for facial rejuvenation with PDO threads, as well as the techniques and tools employed to guarantee the correct insertion of the threads.

Keywords: PDO threads; aesthetic protocols; aesthetics; beauty; facial rejuvenation.