The Injectable Fibroblast-Hyaluronic Acid Complex for Augmentation Rhinoplasty

ABSTRACT

Although several suspension biomaterials have been considered to be relatively safe and convenient, varying degrees of resorption have required repeated percutaneous injection. In the previous animal study the authors have reported that cultured human fibroblasts suspended in Restylane(R), which is modified hyaluronic acid, could produce human dermal matrices and prolong the effect of this gel. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this method. A total of 11 patients ranging from 25 to 57 years of age were included in this study between January of 2002 and December of 2003. All the patients were treated for the purpose of augmentation rhinoplasty. 1x10(7)/ml or 1.5x10(7)/ml cultured fibroblasts were suspended in 0.7 to 1.4ml of Restylane(R). The implants were transferred to a 1-ml syringe and injected subcutaneously to the nose of the patients. Among 11 patients, long term follow-up for more than 1 year was possible in 6 patients. The injected implants remained in site without evidence of resorption or loss of correction. All the patients were satisfied with long term results of this method. There was no complication during the follow-up period.