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Alloplastic augmentation provides safe alternative in facial augmentation of Asian-Americans

Alloplastic facial augmentation in Asian-American patients had low rates of postoperative complications and patients reported high levels of satisfaction, according to study results published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

The researchers retrospectively reviewed all patients of Asian ethnicity who underwent alloplastic facial augmentations by the senior author, Edmund Kwan, MD, between January 2009 and December 2013.

The review included 215 patients that met the researchers’ criteria with a total of 243 implants placed in the forehead, nose, midface and/or chin. There were 169 female and 46 male patients. Average age of the patients was 37 years (range, 16-65 years).

One hundred and forty-one patients received dorsal nasal augmentations. Of these, 10 patients had complications, which included infection (1.4%), extrusion (0.7%), and malposition (4.9%). The two incidences of infection occurred in secondary rhinoplasty cases where the patients had had primary augmentation done by a separate provider. The five malposition cases returned for operative revision. Eleven patients had elective revision for desired changes. The remaining patients reported satisfaction with results.

Augmentation genioplasty was performed in 40 patients. There was one case of malposition, but otherwise no cases of infection or extrusion. Four patients returned for operative revisions for under-correction and two patients requested removal of the implant.

There were no occurrences of infection, extrusion or malposition in the 31 patients who underwent midface augmentation or the 31 patients who underwent forehead augmentation. All midface augmentation patients were satisfied with their results, while only one of the forehead augmentation patients was dissatisfied with the results and requested removal.

“Alloplastic facial augmentation has been avoided by many Western plastic surgeons due to concern for infection and extrusion, however, we have shown that complication rates are acceptably low with proper surgical technique,” the researchers wrote. “Our experience with alloplastic materials suggests that their use should be revisited and that alloplastic implants may be considered a first-line option for aesthetic facial augmentation.” – by Talitha Bennett

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.