[Correction of the deep nasolabial fold using a temporalis superficialis fascia graft].

SUBJECT

The deep nasolabial fold (NLF) due to age is a frequent complaint from patients in plastic surgery. Various surgical and medical management solutions have been described in literature and are often based on different concepts to justify their interest. We present a new surgical treatment of this region using a temporalis superficialis fascia graft in order to fill the NLF. We also propose a review of the literature about the anatomy and the physiology of this major fold of the face.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1990 to 2010, we practiced the replenishing of the NLF using a temporalis superficialis fascia graft on 24 female patients. They all were presenting NLF of great or mild importance due to ageing. We also performed on patients with a great importance NLF a lipofilling of the cheek and the lips in order to recover the volumes lost with ageing. The evaluation items were the quality of the filling (importance and symmetry), quality of the scars and complications occurring on the donor and receiving sites.

RESULTS

Objective and subjective results were good. Projection of the NLF was in most of cases strongly and durably restored.

CONCLUSION

Filling of the deep nasolabial fold using a temporalis superficialis fascia graft is a simple and reliable technique. Depending on the patients this method can be associated with a lipostructure of the cheek and the lips in order to optimize the facial rejuvenation. According to us this tissular implant allows a long lasting and important correction of the NLF.