Poly-L-lactic acid for the treatment of trauma-induced facial lipoatrophy and asymmetry.

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated lipoatrophy. Over the past several years, PLLA has been increasingly used as a treatment for lipoatrophy secondary to the natural process of aging. There have been no reports on the use of PLLA for trauma-induced facial lipoatrophy and asymmetry. In this article, we review the safety, effectiveness, treatment guidelines, mechanism of action, and quality-of-life (QOL) impact of PLLA. We present a patient with facial lipoatrophy and asymmetry secondary to injury from a motor vehicle accident that was effectively treated using PLLA. The future role of PLLA in the treatment of trauma-induced facial lipoatrophy and asymmetry, as well as other disorders, also is discussed.