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Tom D. Wang, MD

Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2003;5:153-154.

Objective  To evaluate the performance of subcutaneous augmentation material preformed shapes for facial implantation.

Design  One-year prospective multicenter evaluation of implant performance.

Setting  General community hospital; private and institutional practice; and ambulatory care setting.

Patients  Eighty-two patients undergoing elective cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.

Interventions  Patients received nasal dorsal implants (31 patients); chin implants (38 patients); and malar implants (13 patients).

Main Outcome Measures  Complications and aesthetic outcome, including implant position, projection, contour, symmetry, and overall aesthetic index.

Results  Complication rates for infection that required implant removal included nasal dorsal implants, 3.2%; chin implants, 5.3%; and malar implants, 3.8%. The overall aesthetic outcome was judged by an independent panel of facial plastic surgeons on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent): nasal dorsal implants scored 4.1; chin implants, 3.8; and malar implants, 3.6.

Conclusions  This study demonstrates that subcutaneous augmentation material preformed shapes offer a relatively safe and effective treatment alternative for permanent facial augmentation.

From the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland.