Technological Innovation in Nasal Base Augmentation: From Material Selection to Surgical Approach
Download PDF

Keywords

Nasal base augmentation
3D-printed PEEK
Autologous dermis
Surgical approach
Complication
Clinical study

DOI

10.26689/jcnr.v10i6.15539

Submitted : 2026-06-17
Accepted : 2026-07-02
Published : 2026-07-17

Abstract

Objective: Comprehensively review the latest progress of nasal basal filling technology in materials science and surgical approaches, and provide personalized treatment strategies from the perspective of evidence-based medicine based on large sample clinical data. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 1268 patients who underwent nasal base filling surgery in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2025. These patients were divided into the hyaluronic acid group based on different filling materials, with 386 patients in this group. The autologous adipose stem cell gel group, also known as SVF-gel group, had 272 patients, the pre formed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene group, also known as ePTFE group, had 315 patients, the autologous rib cartilage group had 214 patients, and the 3D printed polyetheretherketone group, also known as PEEK group, had 81 patients. Compare the aesthetic effects, incidence of complications, and patient satisfaction of each group at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Result: All patients underwent a follow-up period of 6 to 84 months. At 24 months after surgery, the aesthetic effect rate was 97.53% in the PEEK group, 92.52% in the rib cartilage group, 88.25% in the swelling group, 65.44% in the SVF gel group, and 41.71% in the hyaluronic acid group. The overall incidence of complications was 3.70% in the PEEK group, 6.35% in the swelling group, 8.88% in the rib cartilage group, 12.13% in the SVF gel group, and 15.54% in the hyaluronic acid group. Conclusion: The 3D printed PEEK prosthesis has the best long-term stability and the lowest incidence of complications when used for correcting severe bony nasal base depression. Standardized surgical procedures and personalized material approach matching strategies are key to improving surgical outcomes and reducing complications.

References

Lee J, Park J, Kim S, et al., 2023, Prevalence of midface hypoplasia in East Asian populations: A cross-sectional study. J Craniofac Surg, 34(7): 2145–2148.

Millard D, 1988, Augmentation rhinoplasty: The alar base graft. Plast Reconstr Surg, 82(3): 456–462.

Rohrich R, Adams W, Ahmad J, et al., 2022, Complications of nasal base augmentation: Prevention and management. Plast Reconstr Surg, 150(3): 621–632.

Chang S, Wang Y, Zhang L, et al., 2024, Advances in nasal base augmentation techniques: A 5-year review. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 77(1): 1–12.

Smith A, Johnson C, Davis E, et al., 2023, Current controversies in nasal base augmentation: A survey of plastic surgeons. Aesthet Surg J, 43(8): 897–905.

Kim M, Lee S, Park J, et al., 2023, Three-dimensional anatomical analysis of the pyriform aperture margin. J Anat, 243(4): 789–796.

Shen W, Li Y, Wang X, et al., 2023, Anatomical study of the terminal branches of the facial artery using Doppler ultrasound and its clinical significance for midface filler injection. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 76(5): 1234–1241.

Chen L, Li Q, Wu Y, 2023, Vascular complications of facial filler injections: Prevention and management. Dermatol Clin, 41(3): 457–468.

Wang Y, Zhao J, Li J, 2025, Classification of nasal base depression: A new three-dimensional system. J Craniofac Surg, 36(1): 123–127.

Jones E, Brown K, Davis R, et al., 2024, Comparative study of high-crosslinked hyaluronic acid fillers for midface augmentation. Dermatol Surg, 50(5): 612–618.

Sun Q, Wang T, 2025, Advances in the application of autologous fat stem cell gel in facial rejuvenation. Chin J Aesthet Plast Surg, 36(5): 289–292.

Zhang L, Wang H, Li J, 2024, Clinical efficacy and safety of poly-L-lactic acid for midface rejuvenation: A 3-year follow-up study. Dermatol Surg, 50(2): 189–196.

Goldberg D, Silapunt S, 2023, Poly-L-lactic acid: A review of its use in facial rejuvenation. J Drugs Dermatol, 22(6): 567–573.

Wang H, Jin L, 2025, Comparative study on the application of preformed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and manually carved expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in nasal base augmentation. Chin J Med Aesthet Cosmet, 31(3): 187–190.

Liu Z, Wang H, Zhang Y, 2024, Biomechanical properties of 3D-printed PEEK implants for craniofacial reconstruction. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 112(7): 1456–1464.

Wang X, Li Y, Shen W, 2025, 3D-printed PEEK implants for severe nasal base depression: A retrospective study of 81 cases. Plast Reconstr Surg, 156(3): 567–575.

Wang H, Jin L, 2025, Application effect and safety of abdominal autologous dermis in the repair of nasal base depression. Med Aesthet Cosmet, 34(8): 94–96.

Lee S, Park J, Kim S, 2023, Acellular dermal matrix for soft tissue augmentation: A systematic review. J Plast Surg Hand Surg, 57(4): 211–219.

Liu Y, Zhang Y, Wang Z, 2024, Long-term outcomes of acellular dermal matrix for nasal base augmentation: A 2-year follow-up study. J Craniofac Surg, 35(4): 987–991.

Rohrich R, Ahmad J, 2023, Autologous costal cartilage in rhinoplasty: Current concepts and techniques. Plast Reconstr Surg, 151(2): 345–356.

Zhao J, Wang Y, Zhang L, 2024, Comparison of different surgical approaches for nasal base augmentation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 77(8): 2345–2356.

Kim J, Lee J, Park S, 2023, Complications of intraoral approach for nasal base augmentation. J Craniofac Surg, 34(6): 1876–1879.

Chang S, Liu Y, Wang Z, 2024, Comparison of nasal base augmentation via columellar incision versus intraoral incision. Aesthet Surg J, 44(3): 987–993.

Smith A, Johnson C, 2023, Minimally invasive techniques for nasal base augmentation. Facial Plast Surg, 39(5): 456–462.

Chen M, Xu Y, 2023, Clinical application of endoscopic-assisted nasal base augmentation. Chin J Plast Surg, 39(6): 621–625.

Lee S, Kim M, Park J, 2023, Endoscopic-assisted nasal base augmentation: A new technique. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 76(10): 2145–2151.

Davis E, Brown K, Jones E, 2024, Combined approach for total nasal base augmentation. Aesthet Surg J, 44(7): 2345–2351.

Zhang H, Wang J, 2024, Advances in the application of 3D printing technology in craniofacial surgery. Chin J Plast Surg, 40(1): 102–107.

Tanaka Y, Nakamura T, Sato K, 2024, Fixation techniques for 3D-printed PEEK implants in craniofacial surgery. J Craniofac Surg, 35(2): 567–571.

Rohrich R, Adams W, 2023, Costal cartilage harvesting in rhinoplasty: Minimizing morbidity. Plast Reconstr Surg, 152(4): 1023–1030.

Lee J, Park J, Kim S, 2024, Autologous costal cartilage grafts for nasal base augmentation. J Craniofac Surg, 35(3): 897–901.

Smith A, Davis E, 2025, 3D-printed PEEK implants in facial plastic surgery: A review. Facial Plast Surg, 41(1): 12–20.

Li S, Wang X, Zhang Y, 2025, Clinical application of autologous dermal grafts in facial soft tissue augmentation. J Plast Surg Hand Surg, 59(2): 112–118.

Liu K, Li S, 2024, Complications of nasal base augmentation and their prevention and treatment. Chin J Aesthet Plast Surg, 35(8): 457–460.

Chen L, Li Q, Wu Y, 2024, Endoscopic-assisted facial filler injection: A new technique to reduce vascular complications. Dermatol Surg, 50(7): 897–903.

Zhang M, Si L, Zheng J, et al., 2026, Investigation on the current situation of early surgical site infections after prosthesis implantation in plastic and aesthetic surgery and analysis of the effectiveness of quality control improvements. J Peking Union Med Coll, 17(3): 456–462.

Jones E, Brown K, 2023, Prevention of vascular complications in facial filler injections: A systematic review. Dermatol Surg, 49(12): 1456–1464.

Zhang L, Wang H, Li J, 2026, Future directions in nasal base augmentation: Bioprinting and regenerative medicine. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 79(1): 1–8.