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.