Long-term Analysis of Lip Augmentation With Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) Tissue Transfer Following Biplanar Extended SMAS Rhytidectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To our knowledge, long-term, objective results of lip augmentation using superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) tissue transfer beyond 1 year have not been previously described.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy, longevity, and safety of lip augmentation using SMAS tissue transfer.


METHODS
A retrospective single-blind cohort study was designed to evaluate all patients who underwent surgical lip augmentation using SMAS following rhytidectomy between January 1, 2000, and November, 16, 2015, at a private facial plastic surgery practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Preoperative photographs of each patient served as controls and were compared with postoperative photographs at 3 months, 1 year, and 5 years after lip augmentation. A total of 104 images (from 26 individual patients) were reviewed by 12 blinded observers using a validated lip augmentation grading scale.


METHODS
Lip augmentation using SMAS.


METHODS
Median lip volumes of all patients at each postoperative interval (3 months, 1 year, and 5 years) compared with preoperative lip volumes. Secondary outcome measures included postoperative complications.


RESULTS
A total of 423 patients were identified who underwent surgical lip augmentation using SMAS. Sixty patients with approximately 5 years or more of postoperative photographs were reviewed for complications. Twenty-six patients had 3-month, 1-year, and 5-year postoperative follow-up photographs and were included in the photographic evaluation. The mean age of these patients at the time of surgery was 54.6 years (range, 41.2-80.6 years. Fifty-nine of the 60 patients (98.3%) were female. Two of 60 patients (3.3%) with 5 years or more of postoperative follow-up developed complications requiring intervention. Both the superior lip and the inferior lip showed statistically significant increases in volume at 3 months, 1 year, and 5 years (P ≤ .004 for the superior lip after 5 years; P ≤ .001 for all other comparisons) after SMAS lip augmentation. The greatest median increase was observed in the superior lip at 3 months, while the smallest median increase was observed for the inferior lip at 5 years. The degree of increase in median volume seemed to weaken slightly over time, but remained statistically significant even at 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
SMAS lip augmentation is an effective and safe method for lip augmentation that can yield natural, long-lasting results with minimal risk. The degree of augmentation tends to fade slightly over time, but remains significant for at least 5 years postoperatively.


METHODS
3.
Rousso Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic, Mountain Brook, Alabama.
Matthew Allen
MA
Richardson
Rousso Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic, Mountain Brook, Alabama.
Daniel Elliott
DE
Rousso
Department of Family Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.
William H
WH
Replogle
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D000069259:Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System / Q000637:transplantation*; D019737:Transplants / Q000601:surgery*