Paper by TCB's Dr. Keisuke Matsumura et al. on Thread Lifts Published in International Journal "European Journal of Plastic Surgery". Effect and Retention Rate Quantified with 3D Image Analysis System.

TCB Tokyo Central Clinic of Aesthetic Medicine (Chairman: Hiroo Teranishi, hereinafter "TCB"), which operates 102 clinics nationwide (as of May 2026), announces that Dr. Keisuke Matsumura and his team have published a research paper titled "Upward vector observed in all 17 cases after non-absorbable polyester–silicone thread lift: a vectra 3-D pilot study" on the effect and retention rate of thread lifts using a 3D image analysis system.

In this study, the effect of non-absorbable polyester-silicone thread lifts was quantitatively evaluated in terms of volume (mL) using the Vectra H2® 3D image analysis system, and even the retention rate was assessed.

The paper was published in May 2026 in the international academic journal "European Journal of Plastic Surgery."

Paper: "Upward vector observed in all 17 cases after non-absorbable polyester–silicone thread lift: a vectra 3-D pilot study"

<Literature Information>

Paper Title: Upward vector observed in all 17 cases after non-absorbable polyester–silicone thread lift: a vectra 3-D pilot study

Journal: European Journal of Plastic Surgery

Publication Date: May 2026

Authors: Keisuke Matsumura, Takahiko Tamura, Kohki Okumura, Hiroo Teranishi

URL: https://rdcu.be/fgowN

<Paper Abstract>

Background While non-absorbable thread lifts are theoretically expected to provide long-term support, objective volumetric (mL) evaluations using three-dimensional (3D) images are limited. This study aimed to quantify the volumetric lift effect and retention rate of thread lifts using Vectra 3D analysis.

Methods As a single-center prospective pilot study, 17 cases of non-absorbable polyester-silicone thread lifts were subjected to Vectra H2® imaging at pre-operation (T0), 1 month post-operation (T1), and 3 months post-operation (T2). Two reproducible ROIs (Zone 1/Zone 2) based on landmarks were set, and the primary evaluation index ΔV was calculated. ROI setting and volume calculation were performed independently by two physicians, and the average values were used for analysis.

Results ΔV at 1 month post-operation was positive in all cases, and the retention rate at 3 months post-operation was also evaluated. No thread removal due to infection was observed during the observation period.

Conclusion For non-absorbable polyester-silicone thread lifts, the volumetric index ΔV, using Vectra 3D, objectively presented the lift effect and retention rate. The highly reproducible ROI design and demonstrated inter-rater agreement showed the implementability of this as a quantitative evaluation framework.

<Authoring Physician>

Keisuke Matsumura

TCB Umeda Osaka Ekimae Clinic

https://aoki-tsuyoshi.com/doctor/matsumura_keisuke

TCB Umeda Osaka Ekimae Clinic

530-0057 Osaka-fu Osaka-shi Kita-ku Sonezaki 2-8-15 K’s Square Building 3F

Phone Reservation: 0120-197-262

https://aoki-tsuyoshi.com/clinic/shinsaibashi/umedaosaka

<About TCB's Past Academic Research Activities>

・March 2026

"The HIROSHIMA Study: A High-Volume, Institutional, Retrospective, Observational Study of Hidden Non-Incisional Suture Double Eyelid Surgery for Multivariate Analysis of Crease Loss"

(Large-scale clinical study elucidating factors for double eyelid crease loss with embedded sutures)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000325.000034186.html

・January 2026

"Evaluation of a compression method for transconjunctival fat removal: safety and surgical utility comp