Method of facial reconstructive surgery using a self-anchoring tissue lifting device

A method of facial reconstructive surgery using a self-anchoring tissue lifting device including an elongated mesh strip having a distal end and a proximal end situated longitudinally opposite the distal end, opposite top and bottom surfaces and opposite lateral edges, the top and bottom surfaces and the lateral edges being situated along a longitudinal length of the mesh strip between the distal end and the proximal end thereof, the device further having a tissue fixation portion situated at the distal end thereof, and a tissue engaging structure situated on the opposite lateral edges of the mesh strip, the tissue engaging structure including prickles that extend along the full longitudinal length of the mesh strip for holding the full longitudinal length of the mesh strip under tension, and a cover being wrapped about the mesh strip at least along a portion of the longitudinal length thereof and being removable therefrom, wherein the tissue fixation portion situated at the distal end of the mesh strip includes a tissue engaging fleece material mounted to at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the mesh strip, the device being removably mounted on an applicator tool, the method comprising the steps of:

• cutting a sheet of mesh material to form said elongated mesh strip, and wherein the cutting step creates the prickles along the lateral edges of said elongated mesh strip that are formed by cut threads of said mesh material;
• forming a stab incision through the subcutaneous tissue plane from behind an ear of a patient;
• inserting the self-anchoring tissue lifting device through the stab incision using the applicator tool;
• navigating the self-anchoring tissue lifting device, by way of the applicator tool, at least one of through and below the subcutaneous tissue layer of the patient's face;
• directing, with the applicator tool, the tissue fixation portion at the distal end of the mesh strip from the stab incision behind the patient's ear through the ipsilateral submental area whereby the tissue fixation portion situated at the distal end of the mesh strip is located in the submental area of the patient's face and so that the proximal end of the mesh strip and the cover wrapped about the mesh strip are situated at a position at the mastoid of the patient's face;
• releasing the tissue lifting device from the applicator tool and removing the applicator tool from the patient's face, wherein the tissue fixation portion, the elongated mesh strip and the cover remain implanted in the subcutaneous tissue layer as the applicator instrument is removed from the stab incision;
• tensioning the distal end of the mesh strip so that the tissue fixation portion situated thereat will lockingly engage the septae of the subcutaneous tissue layer;
• and
• after removing the applicator tool, removing the cover wrapped about the mesh strip to pull the cover out of the stab incision, expose the mesh strip to the patient's tissue and to allow the mesh strip to interlock therewith.

A method of facial reconstructive surgery comprising:

• providing a self-anchoring tissue lifting device including an elongated mesh strip having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tissue fixation tip secured to the distal end of said elongated mesh strip wherein the step of providing a self-anchoring tissue lifting device comprises cutting a sheet of mesh material to form said elongated mesh strip, and wherein the cutting step creates tissue engaging prickles along lateral edges of said elongated mesh strip that are formed by cut threads of said mesh material;
• providing an applicator instrument that selectively secures and releases said tissue fixation tip;
• providing a cover wrapped about the proximal end of said elongated mesh strip, wherein said tissue fixation tip is exposed outside said cover;
• forming an incision in a patient;
• securing said tissue fixation tip with said applicator instrument;
• using said applicator instrument to pass said tissue fixation tip through the incision and implanting said tissue fixation tip, said elongated mesh strip and said cover in subcutaneous tissue;
• releasing said tissue fixation tip from said applicator instrument and removing said applicator instrument from the incision, wherein said tissue fixation tip, said elongated mesh strip and said cover remain implanted in the subcutaneous tissue as said applicator instrument is removed from the incision;
• pulling said cover out of the incision and away from said elongated mesh strip to expose the proximal end of said elongated mesh strip to the subcutaneous tissue surrounding said elongated mesh strip, wherein said tissue fixation tip and said elongated mesh strip remain implanted in the subcutaneous tissue as said cover is removed from the incision.