Lip Augmentation with AlloDerm Acellular Allogenic Dermal Graft and Fat Autograft: A Comparison with Autologous Fat Injection Alone

Abstract.

Many surgical options exist for lip augmentation, none of which consistently provide safe, lasting, and predictable volume gains. We describe and evaluate the use of AlloDerm acellular allogenic dermal graft in combination with fat autograft and compare the postoperative results with those of autologous fat injection alone. Analysis of the preoperative and 1- and 3-month postoperative photographs was done using digital imaging software. Outcome measures included vermilion show and horizontal lip projection from the soft tissue pogonion–subnasale plane. A 61% mean increase in vermilion show was observed in lips augmented with AlloDerm/fat injection, in comparison to a mean increase of 13% in lips augmented with fat injection alone. Lip projection demonstrated a mean increase of 1 mm in AlloDerm/fat lips at 3 months. Postoperatively, no evidence of resorption was seen in lips augmented with AlloDerm/fat between the 1- and the 3-month follow-ups, however, a 9% decrease in vermilion show occurred in lips augmented with fat injection over the same period. No complications occurred in either group. We conclude that AlloDerm in conjunction with autologous fat injection constitutes a safe, reliable, and lasting method of lip augmentation providing increased vermilion show compared to that with autologous fat injection alone.