title: Quantitative assessment of the longevity of poly-L-lactic acid as a volumizing filler using 3-dimensional photography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the efficacy and longevity of injectable poly-L-lactic acid as a volumizing injectable in the midface region quantitatively using 3-dimensional (3-D) imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study assessing changes in midfacial volume in 15 women aged between 40 and 60 years using a 3-D imaging system at 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks after 3 treatments with poly-L-lactic acid. Three-dimensional imaging was acquired using the 3-D camera and software.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were treated with poly-L-lactic acid. The first 2 treatments were 6 weeks apart. The third treatment was performed 12 weeks after the second treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in midfacial volume following 3 treatments of poly-L-lactic acid were measured quantitatively using the 3-D imaging system. A paired t test was used to analyze the difference between pretreatment and posttreatment values at each study time point.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 15 patients, 1 only received 2 treatments and was therefore excluded from the statistical analysis. There was a statistically significant increase in mean midfacial volume at all study time points, 12 weeks (mean [range], 7.2 [1.6-20.7] mL; P < .001), 24 weeks (mean [range], 7.2 [1.9-19.4] mL; P < .001), 36 weeks (mean [range], 4.6 [1.1-9.2] mL; P = .002), and 48 weeks (mean [range], 4.1 [0.8-6.4] mL; P < .001), compared with pretreatment volume. There was no significant change in volume between each of the follow-up time points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our prospective investigation quantitatively demonstrates the efficacy of poly-L-lactic acid as a long-acting volumizing agent, with an increase in midfacial volume from baseline sustained at least 1 year after treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  2.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01307865.
authors.affiliation: Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Henry H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York3Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists, Latham, New York.
authors.forename: Pardis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Javadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York3Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists, Latham, New York.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Daines
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York3Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists, Latham, New York.
authors.forename: Edwin F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004355:Drug Stability; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012060:Rejuvenation / Q000502:physiology; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)