Hematoma is the most common complication of cervicofacial rhytidectomy (facelift). A group of consecutive facelifts from a busy cosmetic surgery practice is reviewed with respect to multiple variables, most importantly, anesthetic technique and perioperative blood pressure. No common characteristics or cause was identified among the patients with hematoma, but close examination of the behavior of the perioperative blood pressure suggests that a rise in blood pressure from intraoperative to postoperative levels may be an important factor.
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