PLLA enhances postoperative facelift result

MONTREAL—Facelift maintenance and volume restoration can be achieved with poly-L-lactic acid, according to research presented during The Aesthetic Meeting.

In a population of 369 patients who underwent a facelift with corresponding fat injections, 48 patients had subsequent Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, Galderma) injections.

The poly-L-lactic (PLLA) injections were designed to mimic volume loss in the temporal fossa, mid-face and jawline.

To restore dermal lipoatrophy, a deep dermal reflux maneuver was performed while tunneling at the sub-dermal junction.

After every few injections the area was massaged for even product distribution.

Overall volume retention and youthfulness were rated as excellent, good, average or poor in the melolabial fold, pre-jowl sulcus and cheek/midface areas.

All patients showed good to excellent volumetric restoration following Sculptra injection when compared to post-operative facelift with fat injection results.

Only one complication occurred in the poly-L-lactic acid group, a transient temporal nodule, which resolved without intervention.

Poly-L-lactic acid is an adjunct treatment to enhance the post-operative result in facelift patient and maintains the fat grafting contour improvements.—by Abigail Sutton

Reference:

Facelift maintenance: Improved outcomes using poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) for facial volumizing following rhytidectomy and fat injections. Choo, Joshua; O’Daniel, Gerald. Poster# R17.

Presented at: The Aesthetic Meeting. May 14-19, 2015; Montreal.