Short-Term Outcomes of High-Density Porous Polyethylene Orthoses for Chin and Gonial Angle Augmentation.

UNLABELLED: The high-density porous polyethylene implants are used in chin and gonial angle augmentation surgeries. These implants are valued for their biocompatibility and ease of integration with tissues, particularly in correcting retrognathia and mandibular hypoplasia. The research aimed to detail the epidemiological profile, feasibility, outcomes, and complications associated with these procedures.

METHODOLOGY: This retrospective observational study evaluated 100 patients over 18 years. Data on age, sex, aesthetic complaints, surgery types, and postoperative complications were collected and analyzed using the two-proportion z-test and descriptive statistics in RStudio 4.3.3. All patients with neuropraxia underwent neurosensory evaluation.

RESULTS

The average age was 35.92 years for males and 33.71 years for females, with a male predominance (76%). Aesthetic complaints were prevalent in 72% of patients (p < 0.01). Chin surgery was performed on 56% of patients, jaw angle surgery on 17%, and both on 39%. Complications included one case of suture dehiscence, three wound infections, and four transient cases of paresthesia, all resolving within 30 days. Overall, patient satisfaction with outcomes was high.

CONCLUSION

High-density porous polyethylene implants proved effective and safe in enhancing facial aesthetics and correcting mandibular deformities. Further research should focus on long-term outcomes to consolidate these findings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .