Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) augmentation of deep nasolabial creases.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (Gore-Tex; W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) for augmentation of deep nasolabial creases.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up.


METHODS
Private practice ambulatory surgery center.


METHODS
One hundred consecutive patients (average age, 49 years) undergoing expanded PTFE augmentation of the nasolabial crease.


METHODS
A standardized, reproducible rating scale assessed preoperative crease severity. Clinical effectiveness was determined by the numerical degree of improvement in crease severity rating after surgery, and by the number of procedures required to achieve the desired aesthetic results.


RESULTS
Patients initially had grade 1 (14.5%), grade 2 (54.0%), grade 3 (20.0%), or grade 4 (11.5%) crease severity ratings. On average, patients with grade 1 creases required 1.17 total augmentation procedures, those with grade 2 required 1.60, those with grade 3 required 1.93, and those with grade 4 required 1.86. On average, with each augmentation, patients with grade 1 improved 0.61 relative severity points; those with grade 2, 0.85; those with grade 3, 1.29; and those with grade 4, 1.28. Nine patients developed late postoperative sequelae. Four creases (2.0%) displayed an unnatural mounded appearance because of superficial expanded PTFE placement. All 4 creases underwent elective removal of a single superficial PTFE strip, with resultant return of aesthetically correct crease augmentation. Five creases (2.5%) developed implant site infections; in all 5 cases, the involved strips were removed and the infection was resolved with a 10-day course of oral antibiotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Expanded PTFE augmentation presents a safe, effective method for softening deep nasolabial creases. Patients with more severe creases are likely to show more improvement with each augmentation, but are also more likely to require multiple procedures to achieve the desired aesthetic result.
Robertson
K M
KM
Division of Otolaryngology, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53792-3236, USA. robertso@surgery.wisc.edu
Dyer
W K
WK
D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene