Quantitative assessment of the longevity of poly-L-lactic acid as a volumizing filler using 3-dimensional photography

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01307865.