Effectiveness, Longevity, and Complications of Facelift by Barbed Suture Insertion.

Background: Minimally invasive facelift techniques involving barbed suture insertion have become popular among patients who wish to correct facial tissue ptosis.

Objectives: The authors sought to determine the effectiveness, longevity, complications, and postoperative sequelae associated with facelift by means of barbed polydioxanone (PDO) threads.

Methods: A total of 160 consecutive patients who underwent facelift with barbed threads were evaluated retrospectively.

Mitral valve repair: is there still a place for suture annuloplasty?

Prosthetic ring annuloplasty is considered the gold standard technique for mitral valve repair, but it has been associated with some drawbacks. Suture annuloplasty is less expensive and may have some physiopathologic advantages. We reviewed the literature to assess clinical results of mitral suture annuloplasty.

[Surgical therapy of coronary artery disease in the Italian cardiac surgery centers].

Background: We conducted a national survey on surgical therapy for coronary artery disease and its complications, with the aim to eventually identify differences in the processes of care adopted in the Italian cardiac surgery centers.

Methods: Eighty-seven Italian cardiac surgery units received a questionnaire about their general activity profile and the following interest areas: (a) surgical myocardial revascularization techniques; (b) ischemic mitral regurgitation treatment; (c) left ventricular reconstruction procedures; (d) mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation in ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Results: Forty-one Centers (47.