Facial Adipostructuring in Post-Traumatic Functional Impairment a pilot study

Abstract

The article reports a prospective, longitudinal pilot study evaluating facial adipostructuring as a pre-reconstructive strategy in patients with severe post-traumatic maxillofacial sequelae caused by firearm injuries. Three adults with complex scarring, soft-tissue disorganisation, functional impairment, and marked psychosocial impact were treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service of Perez de Leon II Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela. All had failed prior reconstructive attempts and presented fibrosis, volume loss or distortion, and functional deficits such as facial paralysis, microstomia, dysphagia, and altered facial contours.

Facial adipostructuring is described as a structured redistribution of facial adipose compartments using cannulas of different calibres, guided by the natural insertions and vectors of the panniculus system, and complemented by a cocktail of natural senolytic and anti-inflammatory agents. High-frequency ultrasound (16-20 MHz) was used to quantify epidermal, SLEB, dermal, and hypodermal thickness in multiple regions before and three months after treatment, alongside Powell facial angle measurements, pain and satisfaction visual analogue scales, and standardised photographic documentation.

Across cases, six sessions of adipostructuring produced decompression of overloaded fat compartments (infraorbital, preauricular, chin, submental) and selective augmentation of key structural areas (malar, nasolabial fold, labiomental fold, lips, nasal tip), with convergence of right-left asymmetries and improved cervicomental definition. Ultrasound documented reduced inflammatory SLEB/dermal thickening with more organised hypodermis, supporting a model of deflammation, compaction, and three-dimensional re-architecturing rather than simple debulking or gross filling. Powell angles showed preservation of nasion-frontal and gonial angles, with favourable changes in nasofacial, mentocervical, and nasolabial angles, indicating harmonisation of the soft-tissue profile while respecting the bony framework.

Pain scores decreased from high to low between baseline and follow-up, while satisfaction increased inversely, suggesting a favourable risk-benefit profile and good medium-term tolerance. The authors conclude that facial adipostructuring may be an effective adjunct in managing compressive fibrosis and soft-tissue disorganisation in ballistic trauma, improving both aesthetics and function, and justify larger controlled studies to confirm these promising preliminary results.