Refinement of Deep Nasolabial Fold by Soft Tissue Augmentation

ABSTRACT

A nasolabial fold is one of the most typical process on an aged face. Face lifting, one of the frequent methods of correcting nasolabial folds, involves innate burdens as it is a form of surgery and involves many difficulties related to the surgical procedure in improving the nasolabial fold. Therefore, soft tissue augmentation is increasingly being performed on nasolabial folds. We achieved a good outcome and a high level of patient satisfaction after correcting a nasolabial fold using Surederm(TM), AlloDerm(R), and a autologous fat strip. From October 2002 to December 2010, a total of 19 patients have inserted Surederm(TM), AlloDerm(R) and a autologous fat strip in nasolabial fold using our special instrument. Sex, age, patient's satisfaction, and side effects were examined and the outcome was assessed by two plastic surgeons, excluding these authors, in a blind manner by comparing the nasolabial fold in the pre- and post- treatment pictures. Of the 19 patients, 1 was male and 18 were female. Their mean age was 45 years(range: 21~61 years). They showed a relatively high level of satisfaction with the outcomes. In one patient, although the Surederm(TM) was removed due to infection, the patient's deep nasolabial fold was corrected even after the Surederm(TM) removal. The two plastic surgeons judged that the nasolabial folds of the 19 patients improved considerably. Our procedure is more invasive than filler or fat injection. But with this procedure, augmentation effect can be lasting longer. So, the outcome was satisfactory.