THE ARMAMENTARIUM TO BATTLE THE RECALCITRANT NASOLABIAL FOLD

Variation in the clinical display of the nasolabial crease, age at whi ch it becomes troublesome to the patient, and economic capability of t he affected patient have mandated the evolution of different technique s to improve or eliminate the unyielding nasolabial fold. Fat, collage n, and silicone have been injected into the nasolabial crease in an at tempt to eliminate deep furrowing. Other surgeons have used polytetraf luoroethylene implants for the same purpose. This article provides inf ormation concerning the logical surgical procedures preferred by the a uthor to eradicate this condition, including fat injection, direct exc ision, and dermal grafts, either performed alone or in conjunction wit h a rhytidectomy.