Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Treatment of Facial Deformities using 3D Planning and Printing of Patient-Specific Implants
Published on: May 23, 2020
Arash Taheri1, Parisa Mansoori
1Ganjavian Hospital, Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Dezfoul, Iran. shtaheri@sina.tums.ac.ir
This paper introduces a temporary malar augmentation technique to help with preoperative planning for permanent cheek augmentation. Surgeons inject normal saline into the cheek to simulate the final result of fat grafting. This allows both the surgeon and patient to preview the outcome before committing to a permanent procedure. The method is safe, reversible, and helps align expectations with the final surgical plan. The authors suggest this technique may improve satisfaction and reduce uncertainty in facial contouring.
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Area of Science:
Background:
Facial contouring is a well-established practice in cosmetic surgery. Prior research has shown that cheek augmentation can enhance facial symmetry and youthfulness. However, determining the optimal injection site and volume remains a challenge. Surgeons often rely on patient feedback and anatomical landmarks. No prior work had resolved how to simulate outcomes before permanent procedures. This gap motivated the development of temporary augmentation methods. Surgeons need reliable ways to preview results before committing to long-term changes. Patients also benefit from visualizing potential outcomes. Temporary augmentation may help align expectations with surgical planning.
Purpose Of The Study:
This paper aims to describe a technique for preoperative simulation in malar augmentation. The specific problem is how to preview outcomes before fat grafting. Surgeons and patients may hesitate about permanent changes. The motivation is to improve decision-making through temporary enhancement. This approach allows both parties to assess the desired contour. The method uses rapidly absorbable substances for simulation. Patients can visualize potential results before committing to surgery. This technique may reduce the risk of unsatisfactory outcomes.
The core mechanism involves injecting normal saline to simulate the final fat grafting result.
A fine needle is used to minimize trauma and ensure a natural contour during simulation.
It allows surgeons to determine injection sites and volumes based on patient feedback.
Normal saline is used as a rapidly absorbable substance to temporarily enhance the malar region.
Yes, patients can visualize the anticipated result before committing to permanent surgery.
Main Methods:
The researchers describe a preoperative simulation technique using normal saline. A fine needle is used to inject the substance into the malar region. The volume injected is adjusted based on patient and surgeon feedback. This allows a temporary augmentation of the cheek contour. The method is performed before fat transplantation is considered. Surgeons use this to determine injection sites and volumes. Patients observe a realistic preview of the final appearance. The technique is non-permanent and fully reversible.
Main Results:
The temporary augmentation provided a realistic simulation of the final fat grafting results. Surgeons could identify optimal injection locations and volumes. Patients were able to visualize the anticipated outcome. The method helped align expectations with surgical planning. No complications were reported from the temporary procedure. The simulation reduced uncertainty about the final contour. Surgeons and patients could make informed decisions before permanent steps. This approach may improve satisfaction with the final outcome.
Conclusions:
The authors propose that temporary malar augmentation aids in preoperative planning. Surgeons and patients may benefit from visualizing the final contour. The method allows for adjustments before permanent procedures. This approach may reduce the risk of unsatisfactory outcomes. The simulation is safe and fully reversible. It may help align expectations with surgical results. The technique is particularly useful when there is hesitation about the final look. The authors suggest this method improves decision-making in facial contouring.
The authors propose that this method improves decision-making in malar augmentation procedures.