Objective evidence for the use of polylactic acid implants in HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy using three-dimensional surface laser scanning and psychological assessment

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically improved the life expectancy of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although patients often have excellent disease control with these combinations of antiretrovirals, they are at risk for the multiple toxicities associated with these drugs. Facial lipoatrophy is a particularly distressing complication of some HAART regimes. This disfigurement can lead to significant psychosocial stress, resulting in decreased treatment compliance. Polylactic acid (PLA) facial implants provide a potential method of restoring a normal appearance.

One hundred consecutive patients had a course of PLA facial implants. All patients were assessed clinically and had photographs, facial surface laser scans and completed psychological questionnaires throughout the course of treatment.

After a mean of 4.85 treatments per patient, there were improvements in all measures. The mean clinical scores improved from a moderate–severe grade to none–mild grade after treatment. Three-dimensional (3D) laser surface scans showed a volume increase of 2.81cc over the treated area of the cheek. There were significant improvements in all of the psychological measures.

This study shows clear objective evidence of the psychological and physical benefit of PLA implants in HIV-associated facial lipodystrophy.