Two- and Three-Dimensional Quantification of Facial Symmetry After Fat Grafting and Free Flap Reconstruction in Hemifacial Atrophy

NCT07305909 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2024-344
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Hemifacial atrophy causes one side of the face to become smaller, leading to facial asymmetry. Surgeons often restore facial volume using either autologous fat grafting or free-flap reconstruction. However, it is not fully clear how much facial symmetry improves after surgery when measured objectively using two-dimensional (2D) photographs and three-dimensional (3D) surface scans. This is a single-center, retrospective observational study of patients with hemifacial atrophy treated between January 2020 and December 2023 at \[Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences \& Peking Union Medical College\]. We will quantify facial symmetry before surgery and at the first follow-up visit occurring at or beyond 6 months after the initial surgery. Symmetry outcomes will be assessed using standardized 2D photographs for all included patients, and 3D surface scans for a subset of patients. Complications will also be assessed at the first ≥6-month follow-up visit. We will compare changes in symmetry between patients treated with fat grafting and those treated with free-flap reconstruction.

Conditions

Hemifacial Atrophy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in 2D Facial Symmetry Ratio

  Facial symmetry ratio calculated from standardized frontal 2D photographs using computerized photogrammetric analysis. The primary endpoint is the change from preoperative baseline to the first postoperative follow-up visit occurring at or beyond 6 months after the initial surgery.

  Baseline (preoperative) and first follow-up visit 6 months postoperatively

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in 3D Volumetric Discrepancy Between Hemifaces

  Baseline (preoperative) and first follow-up visit 6 months postoperatively

Study Arms (2)

Fat Grafting

Patients with hemifacial atrophy who underwent autologous fat grafting as the initial soft-tissue augmentation procedure. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at the first follow-up visit occurring ≥6 months postoperatively.

Free Flap Reconstruction (ALT)

Patients with hemifacial atrophy who underwent anterolateral thigh (ALT) free-flap reconstruction as the initial soft-tissue augmentation procedure. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at the first follow-up visit occurring ≥6 months postoperatively.

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with hemifacial atrophy treated at a single center between January 2020 and December 2023 who underwent initial facial volume restoration using autologous fat grafting or free-flap reconstruction. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at the first follow-up visit ≥6 months postoperatively. Three-dimensional surface scan analysis was performed in a subset with available 3D data.

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome).
• Underwent initial soft-tissue augmentation with either autologous fat grafting or free-flap reconstruction at the study center between January 2020 and December 2023.
• Availability of standardized preoperative assessment and postoperative assessment at the first follow-up visit occurring ≥6 months after surgery (2D photographs required).

You may not qualify if:

• Follow-up \<6 months after the initial surgery.
• Missing key imaging/photographic data required for outcome assessment.
• Any additional facial augmentation or revision procedure performed before the first ≥6-month follow-up visit.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College: collaborator
• Peking Union Medical College: lead

Study Sites (1)

Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100144, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Facial Hemiatrophy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Facial Nerve Diseases; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Chief Physician, Professor of Plastic Surgery

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 13, 2025
• First Posted: December 26, 2025
• Study Start: January 10, 2020
• Primary Completion: December 29, 2023
• Study Completion: December 29, 2023
• Last Updated: December 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

CN (1)