Physician and patient satisfaction after use of calcium hydroxylapatite for cheek augmentation.

BACKGROUND

Initial applications of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) focused on filling lines and wrinkles. Facial volumization with CaHA has not been fully explored.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this large scale, prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study was to assess CaHA for cheek volumizing, including physician and patient satisfaction.

METHODS

Subjects ( N = 116) were randomized to an immediate treatment group or to an untreated control group (crossed over at 3 months). Patients received CaHA injections in their cheeks, defined as the malar, submalar, zygoma, preauricular, and infraorbital areas. Assessments of quantitative changes in cheek volume using magnetic resonance imaging analysis, qualitative assessments by masked evaluators, and physician and patient satisfaction analyses were also performed, including overall satisfaction with aesthetic results and likelihood to return for future treatments. Safety was assessed across 12 months.

RESULTS

Mean total treatment volume (107 patients) was 4.7 mL of CaHA. At all points, physicians reported satisfaction of 75% or more, with 92% satisfaction at 12 months. Most patients also reported being satisfied at all time points, with 80% satisfied at 12 months. No serious adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSION

Midface volumizing with CaHA results in high physician and patient satisfaction up to 12 months from treatment.