Doppler ultrasound evaluation of facial transverse and infraorbital arteries: influence of smoking and aging process.

Background: Plastic surgeons are always concerned about integrity of facial vascularization in smokers and elderly candidates for face-lifting. Using Doppler ultrasound, this study aimed to evaluate influence of chronic smoking and aging on facial transverse and infraorbital artery blood flow.

Methods: For this study, 40 healthy volunteer women were submitted to bilateral Doppler ultrasound of facial transverse and infraorbital arteries. Volunteers were divided into three groups: group 1 (13 nonsmoking women ages 18-33 years), group 2 (13 nonsmoking women ages 55-70 years), and group 3 (14 smoking women ages 55-70 years). Blood flow parameters measured were peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistivity index, and pulsatility index.

Results: Chronic smoking did not cause statistically significant alterations in peak systolic velocity in any of the arteries. However, there was a significant augmentation of end-diastolic velocity and a reduction in resistivity and pulsatility index in both arteries. Aging process did not significantly alter any of the parameters evaluated. Findings in both sides of the face were similar for both arteries.

Conclusions: Chronic smoking significantly altered end-diastolic velocity, resistivity, and pulsatility index in regional arterial circulation of the face. Aging process, however, did not significantly influence any of blood flow parameters studied.