Clinical outcomes of patients with prominent nasolabial folds corrected by the technique: Dermo-fascial detachment and fat grafting

Background: Prominent nasolabial folds (NLFs) due to ageing are a major aesthetic concern among Asian women. The main causes are drooping of the cheek mass, depressions (folds) and dermal attachments. We have conducted a study to analyse the long-term outcomes of the conventional dermo-fascial detachment and fat grafting technique. Methods: A total of 209 patients with NLFs of different severity were included in the study. Dermo-fascial detachment was used to completely dissect the attachments; then, the space was filled with fat grafts. The outcomes and related factors were analysed statistically based on the classification of NLF grades. Results: The average operating time was 28.4 min, and no postoperative infections were found. A high improvement ratio was noted: at the 3-month, 1-year and 2-year follow-up consultations; the improvement ratio was about 100%, 97.4 ± 2.6% and 66.7 ± 9.2%, respectively. At the 2-year follow-up, the improvement ratio of the severe grade group (71.4 ± 10.1%) remained higher than that of the mild grade group (50.0 ± 22.3%). Six cases relapsed to the original grade (15.4%), and two cases were worse after 2 years (5.1%). No statistical correlation between age and the grade of the condition was determined (p = 0.746). Total filling amounts with fat grafts made no statistical difference to the outcomes of the long-lasting group (1.93 ± 0.26 cc) and the non-long-lasting group (1.84 ± 0.19 cc) (p = 0.435). Conclusion: Dermo-fascial detachment and fat grafting is a safe and reliable technique for the correction of prominent NLFs with high improvement ratios, minimal morbidities and long-lasting outcomes.