Free Dermal Fat Grafting: A Novel Technique for the Correction of Nasolabial Folds During Facelift Surgery.

[BACKGROUND] Traditional facelift surgery does not behave well in the correction of nasolabial folds, which is a common clinical problem and needed to be improved.

[OBJECTIVES] To investigate the effect of free dermal fat grafting during facelift surgery for the treatment of nasolabial folds.

[METHODS] This prospective cohort study involved 80 patients with moderate to severe nasolabial folds and facial skin dermatolysis. Fifty of them underwent facelift surgery combined with free dermal fat grafting, and 30 of them underwent traditional facelift surgery. These patients were followed up 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the surgery to evaluate the effect.

[RESULTS] The difference in Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) scores, assessed at each follow-up, between the patients who underwent and did not undergo free dermal fat grafting during facelift surgery, was statistically significant. For patients who underwent free dermal fat grafting during facelift surgery, the WSRS scores assessed at 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the surgery were significantly different from those before the surgery. The analytic results of FACE-Q indicated a high level of overall satisfaction rate. No major complications were recorded.

[CONCLUSIONS] Free dermal fat as a filler for nasolabial folds can achieve excellent therapeutic effect. The combination of facelift surgery with free dermal fat grafting for the treatment of nasolabial folds can provide very good long-term results and a high patient satisfaction rate for patients with symptoms of facial aging such as facial dermatolysis, obvious wrinkles, and deep nasolabial folds.