"Non-filling" procedures for lip augmentation: a systematic review of contemporary techniques and their outcomes

Background: Ideal lip augmentation techniques have good longevity, low complication rates, and optimal functional and aesthetic results. No systematic review is currently available regarding the efficacy of lip augmentation techniques. This review will focus only on non-filling procedures for lip augmentation (NFPLAs).

Methods: Current databases Elsevier Science Direct, PubMed, HighWire Press, Springer Standard Collection, SAGE, DOAJ, Sweetswise, Free E-Journals, Ovid Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Willey Online Library Journals and Cochrane Plus were scrutinized and relevant article reference sections were studied for additional publications. The search heading sequence used was ("Lip" or "Mouth" or "Perioral" or "Nasolabial") and ("Augmentation" or "Enhancement" or "Surgery" or "Lift" or "V-Y" or "Corner").

Results: Exclusion criteria applied to 6436 initial keyword-search retrievals yielded 12 articles. Eight more articles were retrieved from reference sections, for a total of 18 papers assessed. Only one article made a direct comparison of efficacy between two surgical techniques for lip augmentation, and none directly compared complications associated with different NFPLAs.

Conclusions: Although this systematic review revealed a lack of quality data in comparing the efficacy and complications among different NFPLAs, it is important to review and pool the existing studies to better suggest proper treatment to patients.