PLLA were 54 years of age or younger.13 In light of this trend,
it may behoove the clinician who has limited experience with
the use of PLLA to begin with a younger patient. The selection
of a younger patient, with less complex cosmetic deficits, may
result in greater patient satisfaction, with the added benefit of
increasing the familiarity and comfort level of the practitioner.
Studies Reporting on Patient Satisfaction With Poly-L-Lactic Acid for Soft Tissue Augmentation
There are several published studies and surveys on the use of
PLLA in soft tissue augmentation in non-HIV patients that included
patient satisfaction as an endpoint.14-22
The largest such study included 2,131 patients, 95.9% of whom
were seeking cosmetic augmentation.14 Treatment satisfaction
was based on patient-physician discussions and aided by a
retrospective review of photographs taken during and at the
conclusion of the treatment. Approximately 95% of patients
were satisfied with the achieved cosmetic result.14
In a large retrospective case history review of 568 patients receiving
PLLA for cosmetic problems, patient and physician
satisfaction were scored on a scale of 1 to 10.15 A Definitive Graduated
Score (DGS) was also calculated using both photographic
results and the average patient/physician scores. Overall, the
