Recent advances in soft tissue augmentation

Soft tissue augmentation has become increasingly important as more individuals seek aesthetic improvement without major surgical procedures. The choice of an appropriate subcutaneous implant, whether solid or injectable, requires a thorough understanding of the materials available. This review of the literature addresses autologous fat and dermis transplantation, autologous and allogeneic human collagen, bovine collagen, acellular dermal allograft, hyaluronic acid derivatives, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres, and other potential biomaterials. The search for the perfect material to eradicate rhytids, smooth scars, and fill traumatic detects continues. New products appear, sometimes with great fanfare, which fail to fulfill the promise of a better alternative to what we use now. For this reason, an in-depth understanding of implant materials is necessary for any physician performing soft-tissue augmentation procedures.