Aesthetic Nasal Lobule Correction Using a Three-Dimensional Printed Polycaprolactone Implant.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Nasal tip plasty is crucial for rhinoplasty outcomes.
• Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic material used in implants.
• Ready-made 3D-printed PCL implants offer a new approach for nasal lobule correction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of 3D-printed PCL implants for nasal lobule correction.
• To assess the impact of PCL implants on nasolabial angle and tip projection.
• To examine implant-tissue integration and potential dead space using ultrasonography.

Main Methods:

• A total of 23 patients underwent nasal lobule correction using three types of 3D-printed PCL implants (tipball, droneball, dumbbell).
• Photographic anthropometric analysis was used to compare preoperative and postoperative nasolabial angle and tip projection.
• Ultrasonography was employed in 4 patients to assess implant-tissue interface and dead space.

Main Results:

• Postoperative follow-up averaged 9.5 months with no serious complications.
• Significant improvements were observed in nasolabial angle (average increase of 6.4°) and tip projection (average increase of 0.044).
• Ultrasonography confirmed implant attachment and revealed no dead space between the implant and soft tissue.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first application of ready-made 3D-printed PCL implants for nasal lobule correction.
• The PCL implant is easy to use and yields favorable aesthetic results.
• 3D-printed PCL implants show potential for future nasal tip plasty procedures.