Aesthetic Nasal Lobule Correction Using a Three-Dimensional Printed Polycaprolactone Implant

Abstract

Nasal tip plasty is a surgery that determines important rhinoplasty outcomes. A variety of autologous and alloplastic implants are utilized in this procedure, including 1 synthetic material known as polycaprolactone (PCL). This study provides background on the ready-made three-dimensional printed PCL implant for nasal lobule correction, before discussing the usefulness and effectiveness of the implant. A total of 23 patients who visited our hospital between January 2018 and January 2020 were evaluated in this study. We used 3 types of PCL implant to get an ideal shape for the nasal tip: tipball (globular shape), droneball (rugby ball shape), and dumbbell (dumbbell shape). The authors compared nasolabial angle and tip projection at the preoperative and postoperative period via photographic anthropometric analysis. In 4 patients, we also examined the dead space between the implant and soft tissue via ultrasonography. The follow-up period averaged 9.5 months and no serious complications were found after surgery. The nasolabial angle and tip projection had an average postoperative increase of 6.48 and 0.044, respectively. Ultrasonography revealed the attachment of the implant at the insertion site and no dead space was found. This is the first attempt to apply a readymade three-dimensional printed PCL implant to a nasal lobule correction procedure. As the implant was easy to use and showed good results, it may be useful for aesthetic purposes in future nasal tip plasty procedures.