The learning curve in facial surgery is rarely discussed openly. There’s implicit pressure to appear competent from the start, which makes honest conversations about the real development process difficult. The truth is that every surgical technique requires case volume to be mastered. The question is: how to reduce this curve without compromising patient safety?
“No one is born knowing. The difference lies in how you structure your learning. Thirty cases with mentorship can be worth more than a hundred alone.”
- — Dr. Robério Brandão
Learning Curve: Comparison Between Techniques Different facelift techniques present distinct learning curves, influenced by factors like anatomical complexity, equipment dependence and method intuitiveness.
Technique Competence* Mastery** Factors
SMAS Plication 20-30 cases 50+ cases Simpler technique, superficial
SMASectomy 30-50 cases 80+ cases Tissue resection, more variables
Traditional Deep Plane 50-80 cases 100+ cases Deep plane, extensive dissection
Endoscopic Browlift 40-60 cases 80+ cases Indirect hand-eye coordination
[Endomidface Direct Vision 20-30 cases 50+ cases Vision + touch simultaneous, intuitive
- Competence: safe execution in typical cases ** Mastery: adaptation to variations and consistent results
The Crucial Role of Mentorship
Structured mentorship is the greatest accelerator of the learning curve — and the main safety factor for first patients.
Solo Learning
- • Repeated errors until self-discovery
- • Feedback only from final result
- • Uncertainty about being on right path
- • Longer and riskier curve
- • Technical vices can become consolidated
Learning with Mentorship
- • Immediate feedback corrects errors early
- • Discussion of each case before and after
- • Progress validation
- • Shorter and safer curve
- • Refinements from the start
“A technique is only good if it can be taught. A technique is excellent when students achieve consistent results.”
- — Dr. Robério Brandão
Frequently Asked Questions
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