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.