Dual board-certified surgeon advances facial rejuvenation science through decades of published studies on deep-plane techniques and surgical innovation
Dr. Andrew Jacono has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed articles that document his surgical innovations and clinical outcomes in facial plastic surgery. His research portfolio spans three decades, establishing him as both a practicing surgeon and academic contributor whose work influences how thousands of surgeons worldwide approach facial rejuvenation.
The New York-based facial plastic surgeon’s publications appear in leading medical journals including Aesthetic Surgery Journal, JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. His most cited work examines the extended deep-plane facelift technique he developed in the early 2000s, providing clinical evidence for approaches that diverge from traditional methods.
Documenting the Extended Deep-Plane Approach
Dr. Andrew Jacono first published his Minimal Access Deep-Plane Extended (MADE) facelift technique in Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2011, detailing outcomes from 153 patients. The study reported a 3.9% revision rate, approximately 1.9% hematoma rate, and 1.3% temporary facial nerve injury—figures that demonstrated the technique’s safety profile when compared to traditional facelift approaches.
His 2019 follow-up publication introduced refinements for jawline rejuvenation, including what he termed the “mandibular defining line” measurement. The research provided quantitative evidence of volume and contour improvements achievable through extended deep-plane methods, offering peer surgeons replicable metrics for evaluating their own results.
A 2019 meta-analysis published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal compared complication rates across different SMAS facelift techniques. The systematic review examined data from multiple studies, finding that deep-plane techniques demonstrated lower risks of facial nerve injury compared to more superficial approaches. The analysis attributed this to the preservation of anatomical relationships when tissue layers remain connected during dissection.
Innovations Beyond Facial Rejuvenation
Dr. Andrew Jacono’s research extends beyond facelifts. His 2022 publication in Aesthetic Surgery Journal introduced a novel platysma hammock technique for addressing neck aging. The study documented how lateral approaches to the platysma muscle, combined with deep tissue fixation, produced measurable improvements in neck contour that traditional midline approaches failed to achieve.
His work on blepharoplasty techniques emphasizes volume preservation rather than tissue removal. Multiple publications detail methods for orbital fat repositioning and ligament release that maintain periorbital fullness while correcting signs of aging—a departure from older techniques that frequently resulted in hollowed, skeletonized appearances.
Between 2015 and 2023, Dr. Andrew Jacono published studies examining specific technical aspects of facial surgery: optimal vectors for tissue repositioning, cervical retaining ligament anatomy during subplatysmal dissection, and the relationship between patient self-esteem and perceived surgical outcomes. Each publication provides surgeons with data-driven insights for refining their own techniques.
Leading the Next Generation
Dr. Andrew Jacono serves as Associate Clinical Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Fellowship Director for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His published research forms the foundation of educational courses he conducts globally, including hands-on cadaver training workshops where surgeons learn the extended deep-plane technique he documented in his studies.
His 2021 medical textbook, The Art and Science of Extended Deep Plane Facelifting and Complementary Facial Rejuvenation Procedures, synthesizes insights from over 2,000 facelift procedures. This publication serves as a technical reference on the science of facial aging, providing surgeons with an in-depth understanding of the anatomical foundations and surgical techniques pioneered by Dr. Jacono.
Dr. Jacono continues to publish research with recent work examining the distinctions between platysma hammock and sling techniques. His commitment to documenting surgical innovations and clinical outcomes ensures that advances developed in his practices reach surgeons worldwide through peer-reviewed channels that elevate standards across the specialty.
