Lower Third Of Face Morphology Changes Influenced By Aging Parotid Glands

Objective: This research has applied image post-processing technologies of Multislice spiral CT to observe the morphology of parotid gland and measure its dimensions.The objective of the study is to measure thickness of parotids,to quantitatively describe and analyze the downward and backward displacement of the parotid gland within the Han population of Dalian,therefore providing valuable reference information for aesthetic plastic surgery department,especially for aging analysis and comprehensive evaluation on the lower third of the face and facial rejuvenation clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods: Two hundred and seventy adult patients of the Han nationality with normotrophic skulls from the xinhua Hospital were selected as samples of the study.The samples including135 male patients and 135 female patients aged between 16 and 59,were divided into 3groups through age,including youth group(25 and younger),adultescent group(between 25 and 44),middle age group(between 45 and 59).We observe the original CT scan of each patient and measure the maximal diameters,the downward and backward displacement distances of the parotid glands on both sides,and then we use SPSS software for data analysis.Results:As for male patients,the maximum diameter increment at the midpoint of bilateral parotid between youth group and adulescent group,adulescent group and middle age group,youth group and middle age group are all statistically significant(P<0.001).As for female patients,the diameter increments of maximal parotid glands between youth group and adultescent group,between adultescent group and middle age group,between youth group and middle age group are all statistically significant(P<0.001).As for male patients,thedownward displacement difference between youth group and middle age group is statistically significant(P<0.05).and the backward displacement differences between youth group and middle age group,and between adultescent group and middle age group are statistically significant(P<0.001).Between youth group and adultescent group,the backward displacement difference of the left cheek is statistically significant(P=0.004),and the displacement difference of the right cheek is statistically significant(P=0.021).As for female patients,the backward displacement difference between youth group and middle age group is statistically significant(P<0.001).The downward displacement difference between youth group and middle age group is statistically significant(P?0.001).Conclusion:Morphological changes do happen during the aging process of the parotid glands within the Han population from Dalian area.And these morphological changes might be different between male and female population.Parotid glands are crucial for the shape and the contour of the face because they can influence the thickness of the lower third,as well as the shape of mandibular angle region and the pretragal region.Comprehending the age-related changes of the parotid is beneficial to improve the lower third of face and more integrated facial plastic surgeries.The aging of the face involves numerous contributing factors and various levels of tissue change.The degenerative changes of the face result from a complex effect due to imbalances between different facial soft tissues,the specific symptoms of which include skin texture aging,tissue anetodermia,tissue displacement and capacity changes.Extensive biological and pathological mechanisms are involved.Therefore,focusing on a single factor or employing only one method of treatment,and overly prudent routine plastic surgery can no longer bring satisfactory results.Researches on the relevant soft tissue aging mechanisms of the face were sophisticated and comprehensive already.However,the age-related parotid gland changes and its effect on the facial appearances are not yet recognized.Patients who are dissatisfied with their lower part of facial appearance should put more consideration on the morphology of the parotid glands besides contributing factors like masseter and jawbone.One typical physical characteristic of younger-looking face is that thesoft tissues are well supported by the deeper bone structures.Theoretically,to achieve a natural and balanced facial appearance,all changes from the aging process should be separately corrected.