understanding, avoiding, and managing dermal filler ... · understanding, avoiding, and managing...

8
Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications JOEL L. COHEN, MD BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly being utilized for multiple cosmetic dermatology indications. The appeal of these products can be partly attributed to their strong safety profiles. Nevertheless, complications can sometimes occur. OBJECTIVE To summarize the complications associated with each available dermal filling agent, strategies to avoid them, and management options if they do arise. METHODS AND MATERIALS Complications with dermal fillers reported in peer-reviewed publications, prescribing information, and recent presentations at professional meetings were reviewed. Recommen- dations for avoiding and managing complications are provided, based on the literature review and the author’s experience. RESULTS Inappropriate placement or superficial placement is one of the most frequent reasons for patient dissatisfaction. Due to the reversibility of hyaluronic acid, complications from these fillers can be easily corrected. Sensitivity to any of the currently approved FDA products is quite rare and can usually be managed with anti-inflammatory agents. Infection is quite uncommon as well and can usually be managed with either antibiotics or antivirals depending on the clinical features. The most concerning complication is cutaneous necrosis, and a protocol to treat the full spectrum of this process is reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Complications with dermal fillers are infrequent, and strategies to minimize their incidence and impact are easily deployed. Familiarity with each family of soft-tissue augmentation products, potential complications, and their management will optimize the use of these agents. Dr. Cohen is a Consultant and Clinical Trial Participant for Allergan, Inc., BioForm Medical, Inc., ColBar Life- Science Ltd., Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation. O ver the past several years, a major shift in the use of dermal fillers has occurred in the cosmetic dermatology arena. The use of these products is growing rapidly, due in large part to their effectiveness and versatility, increased public interest, the availability of multiple new options, and a diminishment of the social stigma surrounding their use. Their favorable safety profiles also con- tribute to the popularity of these products. 1,2 However, despite the impressive safety demonstrated with these agents, complications and adverse events can occur. To ensure the best possible outcomes and greatest patient satisfaction, the der- matologist who injects dermal fillers must have proper training in their use and be aware of the types of unwanted effects that can occur and how to treat them. Dermal fillers are commonly categorized by duration of effect: temporary, semipermanent (duration is often longer than 18 months but the exact time frame is unknown), and permanent options (Table 1). Injection Site Reactions The most common adverse events associated with fillers are local injection site reactions. In a ran- domized, double-blind, multicenter comparison of hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Medicis Aesthetics Inc., Scottsdale, AZ) versus collagen (Zyplast, Allergan Inc., Santa Barbara, CA) for the treatment of naso- labial folds in contralateral sides in each patient (n = 138), injection site reactions occurred at 93.5% & 2008 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. ISSN: 1076-0512 Dermatol Surg 2008;34:S92–S99 DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2008.34249.x S92 AboutSkin Dermatology and DermSurgery, PC, and Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Englewood, Colorado

Upload: others

Post on 19-Jun-2020

18 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler ... · Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications JOEL L. COHEN,MD BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly

Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal FillerComplications

JOEL L. COHEN, MD�

BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly being utilized for multiple cosmetic dermatologyindications. The appeal of these products can be partly attributed to their strong safety profiles.Nevertheless, complications can sometimes occur.

OBJECTIVE To summarize the complications associated with each available dermal filling agent,strategies to avoid them, and management options if they do arise.

METHODS AND MATERIALS Complications with dermal fillers reported in peer-reviewed publications,prescribing information, and recent presentations at professional meetings were reviewed. Recommen-dations for avoiding and managing complications are provided, based on the literature review and theauthor’s experience.

RESULTS Inappropriate placement or superficial placement is one of the most frequent reasons forpatient dissatisfaction. Due to the reversibility of hyaluronic acid, complications from these fillers can beeasily corrected. Sensitivity to any of the currently approved FDA products is quite rare and can usuallybe managed with anti-inflammatory agents. Infection is quite uncommon as well and can usually bemanaged with either antibiotics or antivirals depending on the clinical features. The most concerningcomplication is cutaneous necrosis, and a protocol to treat the full spectrum of this process is reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS Complications with dermal fillers are infrequent, and strategies to minimize theirincidence and impact are easily deployed. Familiarity with each family of soft-tissue augmentationproducts, potential complications, and their management will optimize the use of these agents.

Dr. Cohen is a Consultant and Clinical Trial Participant for Allergan, Inc., BioForm Medical, Inc., ColBar Life-Science Ltd., Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation.

Over the past several years, a major shift in

the use of dermal fillers has occurred in the

cosmetic dermatology arena. The use of these

products is growing rapidly, due in large part to

their effectiveness and versatility, increased public

interest, the availability of multiple new options, and

a diminishment of the social stigma surrounding

their use. Their favorable safety profiles also con-

tribute to the popularity of these products.1,2

However, despite the impressive safety demonstrated

with these agents, complications and adverse

events can occur. To ensure the best possible

outcomes and greatest patient satisfaction, the der-

matologist who injects dermal fillers must have

proper training in their use and be aware of the

types of unwanted effects that can occur and how to

treat them. Dermal fillers are commonly categorized

by duration of effect: temporary, semipermanent

(duration is often longer than 18 months but the

exact time frame is unknown), and permanent

options (Table 1).

Injection Site Reactions

The most common adverse events associated with

fillers are local injection site reactions. In a ran-

domized, double-blind, multicenter comparison of

hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Medicis Aesthetics Inc.,

Scottsdale, AZ) versus collagen (Zyplast, Allergan

Inc., Santa Barbara, CA) for the treatment of naso-

labial folds in contralateral sides in each patient

(n = 138), injection site reactions occurred at 93.5%

& 2008 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. � Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. �ISSN: 1076-0512 � Dermatol Surg 2008;34:S92–S99 � DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2008.34249.x

S 9 2

�AboutSkin Dermatology and DermSurgery, PC, and Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado,Englewood, Colorado

Page 2: Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler ... · Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications JOEL L. COHEN,MD BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly

(129/138) and 90.6% (125/138) of the hyaluronic

acid– and collagen-treated sites, respectively.3 These

reactions were predominantly mild or moderate in

intensity, lasted less than 7 days, and generally were

similar between treatments (Table 2). However, be-

cause these adverse events were solicited during the

study solely through the use of patient diaries

(without corroboration by physician evaluation),

the rate of adverse events may be lower in routine

clinical practice.

Patients should be informed of the likelihood of in-

jection site reactions, especially in terms of swelling,

because most fillers often result in some degree of

injection site–related swelling or bruising for 4 to 7

days. Swelling can often be minimized by avoidance

of aspirin compounds (provided the patient’s cardi-

ologist or primary physician does not deem them

medically necessary [i.e., patients with a history of

heart attack, stroke, or blood clot]), nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs, and many vitamin

supplements (vitamin E, ginger, ginseng, ginkgo

biloba, garlic, kava kava, celery root, fish oils) for

7 to 10 days prior to the procedure.

Inappropriate Placement

Inappropriate placement of fillers, including inject-

ing too superficially, can lead to lumps of visible

product or bluish bumps under the skin (Tyndall

effect) with hyaluronic acid fillers (Figure 1).4 Such

reactions can, for the most part, be prevented by use

of correct technique. Their occurrence, however,

can result in anxiety and dissatisfaction for patients,

especially in those who rely on their appearance

for their livelihood or who cannot adequately

camouflage the reaction.5

Lumps and bumps related to superficial placement

can often be treated simply by local massage or by

aspiration or incision and drainage.4,5 If the com-

plication is related to a hyaluronic acid product,

hyaluronidase is an additional treatment option.5

TABLE 2. Incidence of Injection Site Reactions

Occurring with some Dermal Fillers: Results from

a Randomized, Double-Blind Trial (N = 138)�

Reaction Restylane (%) Zyplast (%)

Swelling 87.0 73.9

Redness 84.8 84.8

Tenderness 77.5 64.5

Pain 57.2 42.0

Bruising 52.2 48.6

Itching 30.4 23.9

Other 24.6 23.9

�Adapted from Narins RS, Brandt F, Leyden J, et al.3 A random-

ized, double-blind, multicenter comparison of the efficacy and

tolerability of Restylane versus Zyplast for the correction of

nasolabial folds.

TABLE 1. Common Dermal Fillers

Temporary

Bovine collagen (Zyderm, Allergan Inc., Santa Barbara, CA; Zyplast, Allergan Inc., Santa Barbara, CA)

Human collagen (CosmoDerm, Allergan Inc, Santa Barbara, CA; CosmoPlast, Allergan Inc., Santa Barbara, CA)

Autologous cultured fibroblasts (Isolagen, Isolagen Technologies, Paramus, NJ)

Cadaveric collagen (Collagenesis, Beverly, MA; Fascian, Fascia Biosystems LLC, Los Angeles, CA; Cymetra,

LifeCell Corp., Branchburg, NJ)

Hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Medicis Aesthetics Inc., Scottsdale, AZ.; Hylaform, Allergan Inc., Santa Barbara, CA;

Captique, Allergan Inc., Santa Barbara, CA; Juvederm, Allergan Inc., Santa Barbara, CA)

Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse, BioForm Medical Inc., San Mateo, CA)

Semipermanent

Poly-L-lactic acid (New-Fill/Sculptra (Dermik Laboratories, Berwyn, PA)

Permanent

Collagen 1 polymethylmethacrylate (Artecoll/ArteFill, Artes Medical Inc., San Diego, CA)

Silicone (Adato SIL-OL 5000 [Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY], Silikon 1000 [Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth,

TX])

Soft-form/Gore-Tex (WL Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ)

3 4 : S 1 : J U N E 2 0 0 8 S 9 3

C O H E N

Page 3: Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler ... · Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications JOEL L. COHEN,MD BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly

However, because of the rare risk of sensitivity to the

animal-derived hyaluronidase enzyme, a preliminary

skin test should be performed prior to its use. For

this test, about 3 units can be injected intradermally,

and the patient observed for at least 20 minutes or

even overnight.6 A local wheal-and-flare reaction

indicates a positive reaction. Hyaluronidase is

available from the following sources: Amphastar

Pharmaceuticals (Amphadase; Rancho Cucamonga,

CA), Ista Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Vitrase; Irvine, CA),

and several compounding pharmacies that

provide formulations that may not be as uniform

or consistent as the two commercially available

brands.

Collagen plus polymethylmethacrylate, which is

categorized as a permanent filler due to the Lucite-

like polymethylmethacrylate beads in the product, is

less forgiving and also can be associated with com-

plications if placed too superficially (Figure 2). In-

deed, the most common issues seen with the original

formulation of Artecoll (Artes Medical Inc., San

Diego, CA) involved superficial placement. There

have been reports of long-lasting itching and redness,

which can sometimes be treated with topical cor-

ticosteroid cream or intradermal corticosteroid in-

jections.7 In addition, excessive superficial place-

ment of the product rarely can lead to hypertrophic

scarring of the treated fold(s). This can be softened in

some cases with repeated intralesional triamcinolone

injections (starting with intralesional triamcinolone

10 mg/ml with subsequent increasing concentrations

of 20, 30, and 40 mg/ml progressively if needed at

3- to 4-week intervals) or the use of a pulsed dye

laser.

If calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse, BioForm

Medical Inc., San Mateo, CA) is placed too super-

ficially (i.e., in the mid or superficial dermis), white

nodules may become visible. These can usually be

treated by puncturing the nodules with a No. 11

blade or needle and then expressing the contents.8

Similarly, due to the thin skin in the tear trough,

injection of calcium hydroxylapatite too superficially

in this area can result in visibility of the filler. Thus,

tear trough injections are considered advanced

techniques and should be performed only by those

experienced with using fillers in this area. Migration

of product nodules superficially in the lips can occur

despite proper placement of calcium hydroxylapatite

to deeper lip levels; this may be due to the ‘‘pump-

ing’’ action of the orbicularis oris muscle with rou-

tine use (such as speaking or chewing). For this

reason, use of Radiesse in the lips is no longer

recommended; however, if a patient presents with

these lip nodules, opening up the site(s) with a needle

and expressing or even removing them surgically is

usually curative.8

Figure 2. Angioedema-type swelling and early vertical andhorizontal fissures 1 hour postprocedure in a patient treatedwith hyaluronic acid (Restylane) in the lips. Photographcourtesy of Naomi Lawrence, MD.

Figure 1. Inappropriate placement of fillers can lead to prod-uct visibility under the skin. Photograph courtesy of author.

D E R M AT O L O G I C S U R G E RYS 9 4

U N D E R S TA N D I N G , AV O I D I N G , A N D M A N A G I N G D E R M A L F I L L E R C O M P L I C AT I O N S

Page 4: Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler ... · Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications JOEL L. COHEN,MD BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly

Product Sensitivity

Given that all fillers (with the exception of autol-

ogous fat) are composed of foreign-body material,

varying degrees of immune system reactivity can

occur.9 Severe reactions are rare but can have im-

portant aesthetic implications. In addition to prod-

uct-specific sensitivity reactions, the introduction of

a foreign substance other than the filler (e.g., residual

lipstick incompletely removed from the patient’s lips

prior to a filling procedure) could cause a reaction or

an unwanted visible mark. Therefore, makeup in the

area of treatment must be removed preprocedure.

Collagens

Given its animal source, bovine collagen can be

immunogenic, and the incidence of granulomatous

foreign-body reactions reaches 1.3% in some se-

ries.10 Prior to bovine collagen injection, two skin

tests are recommended to test for sensitivity: the first

is usually placed in the left antecubital area, and the

second is often placed in noncentral facial skin such

as at the left scalp line. Approximately 3.5% of

patients will have a positive first reaction; 70% of

these reactions will manifest in 48 to 72 hours.11

A negative second test lowers the risk for reaction to

less than 0.5%.

A possible reaction with human collagen has been

documented in a report on two patients, one of

whom had previously tested negative to a bovine

collagen skin test at both 72 hours and 30 days.12

Human collagen (1 mL) was subsequently adminis-

tered into the nasolabial folds of that patient. Sev-

enty-two hours later, the patient complained of an

erythematous, indurated, and burning reaction of the

face. She was treated with the topical calcineurin

inhibitor 0.1% tacrolimus ointment (Protopic, As-

tellas Pharma US Inc., Deerfield, IL) twice daily, and

symptoms resolved slowly over the next 3 weeks.

In the second patient, bovine collagen had previously

been injected with no reports of any apparent sen-

sitivity. Human collagen (1 mL) was injected peri-

orally, and 5 days later a second 1-mL syringe was

administered. The patient reported red lumps at the

injection site 10 days after the first injection, with

examination revealing palpable, perioral erythema-

tous and nonerythematous subcutaneous lumps.

This patient also was treated with 0.1% tacrolimus

ointment, and lesions resolved within 6 weeks.

HA Products

Hypersensitivity also has been very rarely reported

with hyaluronic acid products. One rare but dra-

matic type of reaction was an angioedema-type hy-

persensitivity following injection with a nonanimal-

stabilized hyaluronic acid gel into the upper lip.13 In

this case, a female patient was treated with

hyaluronic acid (Restylane) in the lips. One hour

postprocedure, the woman returned to the office and

was found to have angioedema-type swelling of the

upper lip (see Figure 2); she denied difficulty

breathing. It is still possible that this reaction was

due to another procedure performed at the same

session, such as a very rare sensitivity to the lidocaine

of the nerve block or to botulinum neurotoxin type

A administered the same day. The patient was

treated with 8 mg of dexamethasone sodium phos-

phate intramuscularly and was observed for about

2 hours. Stabilization of swelling occurred, and she

was treated with a 6-day prednisone taper. Edema

resolved 5 days postprocedure.

Persistent nodules, in the form of granulomatous

foreign-body reactions, also have been very rarely

reported with hyaluronic acid products. In a case

reported by Fernandez-Acenero and colleagues,10 a

48-year-old female received a hyaluronic acid agent

in the lips for the purposes of augmentation. This

patient developed discrete nodules initially associ-

ated with eczematous changes in the overlying skin

in her upper lip 6 weeks postinjection. Histologic

analysis showed the presence of a sharply

demarcated nodule in the subcutaneous fat that

corresponded to a granulomatous foreign-body re-

action, with multinucleated cells surrounding a blue

amorphous material with the tinctorial features of

hyaluronic acid. The patient was lost to follow-up.

3 4 : S 1 : J U N E 2 0 0 8 S 9 5

C O H E N

Page 5: Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler ... · Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications JOEL L. COHEN,MD BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly

A more recent article by Brody5 documents the use

of hyaluronidase to treat a hyaluronic acid–related

granulomatous foreign-body reaction. A ‘‘true hy-

persensitivity and granulomatous reaction’’ persisted

in a patient for 5 months; treatment with cortisone

injections and topical tacrolimus application were

of little help. The patient was subsequently treated

with 15 U of hyaluronidase injected into the nodule,

and within 24 hours it disappeared; the reaction

did not recur.

Hyaluronic acid products also have been associated

with delayed erythema and painful, swollen lumps;

bumps without pain or tenderness also have been

reported.4 Based on the collective experience of

several well-known aesthetic physicians, an algo-

rithm was designed to help manage these inflam-

matory nodules, which were informally

characterized as delayed-onset ‘‘angry red bumps.’’

This algorithm is shown in Figure 3.

Poly-L-lactic Acid

Product-related injection site nodules have been

more commonly seen with poly-L-lactic acid,

particularly in the human immunodeficiency virus

(HIV)-infected population. In clinical studies, such

subcutaneous papules were confined to the injection

site and defined as ‘‘lesions of 5 mm or less, typically

palpable, asymptomatic, and nonvisible.’’14,15 These

nodules were seen in 52% (26/50) and 31% (9/29) of

patients in two separate European HIV-related lipo-

atrophy studies, each with a 2-year follow-up period.

In the first study (the only one for which onset data

are available), nodule onset occurred at an average

of 7 months posttreatment (range, 0.3–25 months).

Lower incidences of poly-L-lactic acid nodules were

seen in two American HIV-related lipoatrophy

studies and in an immunocompetent patient study

with 1-year follow-up periods. In the American HIV-

related lipoatrophy studies, nodules occurred in 6%

(6/99) of patients in the first study and in 13% (13/

99) of patients in the second study. In a recently

presented 13-month study comparing poly-L-lactic

acid with collagen for the correction of nasolabial

fold wrinkles in 233 non–HIV-infected patients,

nodules o5 mm in diameter occurred in 8.6% (10/

116) of patients receiving poly-L-lactic acid and

3.4% (4/117) of those receiving collagen; application

site nodules (45 mm diameter) occurred in 6.9%

(8/116) of subjects receiving poly-L-lactic acid and

6.0% (7/117) of subjects receiving collagen.15 No

histologic data are available, and none of the studies

reported any treatment information. However, in

one of the European 2-year follow-up studies, the

subcutaneous papules resolved spontaneously over

the course of the study in 23% (6/26) of the patients.

European reports that the occurrence of these types

of nodularities was quite common initially elicited a

degree of skepticism and, at the very least, caution

regarding injecting this substance. It is believed that

modifications to the initial European injection pro-

tocol and technique help minimize the occurrence of

the subcutaneous papules seen subsequent to poly-L-

lactic acid administration. First, the product should

Figure 3. Algorithm for the management of angry redbumps. Asterisk indicates Biaxin (clarithromycin, AbbottLaboratories, Abbott Park, IL); AFB, acid-fast bacilli; C&S,culture and sensitivity; NASHA, nonanimal-stabilized hya-luronic acid. Reprinted, with permission, from Narins RS,Jewell M, Rubin M, et al.4

D E R M AT O L O G I C S U R G E RYS 9 6

U N D E R S TA N D I N G , AV O I D I N G , A N D M A N A G I N G D E R M A L F I L L E R C O M P L I C AT I O N S

Page 6: Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler ... · Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications JOEL L. COHEN,MD BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly

be constituted at a higher volume than done initially

in EuropeFspecifically, mixed with � 5 ml sterile

water, with 1 ml lidocaine later added prior to in-

jection. Longer reconstitution times are also recom-

mended, with reconstitution ideally occurring � 8

hours prior to injection. Injections should be made

into the high fat, definitely not the mid dermis; care

should also be taken not to inject the precipitate at

the end of the syringe.

One article reported three cases in which more se-

rious complications of foreign-body induced nodu-

laritiesFgiant cell granulomatous reactionsF

occurred after skin augmentation with poly-L-lactic

acid; these reactions were attributed to the aberrant

reactivity of the recipient to the material.9 Treatment

in two cases, one with intralesional steroid therapy

plus topical 5% imiquimod cream and one with

imiquimod cream, achieved no visible clinical im-

provement. The latter case was then treated with

intralesional steroid injections; results with this reg-

imen were not reported. Treatment in the third case

involved excision of the largest nodules, with a

‘‘satisfactory’’ result. The physicians recommend

that, if feasible, surgical excision is the best option

for this type of reaction; however, this would result

in at least some degree of clinical scarring and, in

some cases, deformity. While some US physicians

report success with this product using the modifica-

tions mentioned previously, many physicians

are still concerned because this product has

received approval from the US Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) only for HIV-related lipoat-

rophy. Thus, it has been most studied in relation to

this condition, in which a fully intact immune

system is lacking. At present, the risk of immune

response to poly-L-lactic acid among immunocom-

petent patients is still an unresolved concern of

several key opinion leaders.16 There have also been

reports of subcutaneous nodules at the infraorbital

skin after the use of this product.17 It is possible

that this superficial placement in the infraorbital

hollow results from injectors not realizing the change

in thickness of the skin between the cheek and the

lower lid.

Bovine Collagen Plus Polymethylmethacrylate

Bovine collagen plus polymethylmethacrylate (Arte-

coll, ArteFill [Artes Medical Inc.]) also can be asso-

ciated with product sensitivity in the form of delayed

granulomas, although the rate is low: from 1995 to

2000, these complications occurred in just 0.01%

(15/200,000) of patients.7 Granulomas in those re-

ceiving bovine collagen plus polymethylmethacrylate

have generally occurred 6 to 24 months posttreat-

ment. Histologically, these enlarging granulomas,

which often appear after the second or third im-

plantation of product, show a wide distance between

microspheres filled with macrophages, giant cells,

fibroblasts, and broad bands of collagen fibers. The

specific cause of these reactions is unknown; how-

ever, half of the patients experiencing them reported

an associated severe infection (influenza) or some

type of facial injury. Treatment can include intra-

lesional injections of corticosteroids (triamcinolone

up to 20 mg/ml or betamethasone up to 5 mg/ml,

which are injected directly into the nodule, pro-

gressing to higher concentrations if needed at 3- to

4-week intervals). It is important to note that the

new product ArteFill is not the same as the Artecoll

that has been reported on. ArteFill is derived from a

closed US bovine herd and is said to have much more

consistency in polymethylmethacrylate particle size,

so there is believed to be significantly less risk of

ingestion of smaller particles of product by macro-

phages and thus a very low risk of immunogenicity.

Infection

Two infectious disease issues have been associated

with dermal fillers. It is possible that fillers may

trigger recurrent herpetic lesions;4 thus, in patients

with a history of herpes outbreaks, prophylactic

antiviral treatment is often recommended for lip

augmentation. In patients with active herpes lesions,

injections should obviously not be performed until

the lesions have completely resolved.

Infection or contamination is another issue that

could potentially occur with the use of soft tissue

augmentation agents, especially with non–FDA-

3 4 : S 1 : J U N E 2 0 0 8 S 9 7

C O H E N

Page 7: Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler ... · Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications JOEL L. COHEN,MD BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly

approved products as recently reported by Toy and

Frank.18 Specifically, in 2002, there was an outbreak

of Mycobacterium abscessus infection in New York

City following soft tissue augmentation with an

unapproved hyaluronic acid product called Hyacell;

the procedure was performed illicitly by a woman

posing as a physician. Two individuals were known

to be affected, and both developed tender, subcuta-

neous nodules. Hyacell contains hyaluronic acid,

zinc, selenium, vanadium, and unspecified ‘‘embry-

onic extracts.’’ As a non–FDA-approved product, it

was illegally brought into the United States from

South America. Empiric treatment with clarithro-

mycin and prednisone resulted in the clearance of

lesions in both patients.

Clearly, infections can also potentially occur after

using licensed products by experienced aesthetic

physicians. To hopefully help minimize the risk of

infection, clean preparation of the skin is recom-

mended (such as using alcohol or an agent like

chlorhexidine) in the area of treatment prior to filler

placement. If an infection is suspected at some point,

it is best to culture the exudate and initiate empiric

treatment with an antibiotic such as clarithromycin

until the more specific culture results become avail-

able.4 Of note, in the infraorbital area, it is recom-

mended to avoid chlorhexidine due to the potential

of contact with the eye resulting in a keratitis.

Necrosis

Injection necrosis is a rare but important complica-

tion associated with dermal fillers (Figure 4).19 Ne-

crosis can be attributed to one of two factors: an

interruption of vascular supply due to compression

or frank obstruction of vessels by direct injection of

the material into a vessel itself. The glabella is the

injection site commonly believed to be at greater

risk, as small-caliber vessels branch from the supra-

trochlear arteries to supply this watershed region

with minimal collateral circulation.

According to a recent treatment algorithm, a number

of precautions can be taken to avoid necrosis.19 In

the glabella, these precautions include injecting su-

perficially and medially, aspirating before injecting,

and using low volumes of product in two or more

treatment sessions (or treating only one side each

session) instead of using a high volume in one ses-

sion. Using only products that are placed superfi-

cially, such as CosmoDerm (Allergan Inc.), should

also be considered. If impending necrosis is sus-

pected, treatment options include immediately ap-

plying warm gauze and tapping the area to

theoretically facilitate vasodilation and blood flow.

The application of nitroglycerin paste (in office and

at home by the patient) to further promote vasodi-

lation is also believed to be of potential benefit. For

cases in which a hyaluronic acid filler is used, there

has recently been a report of a case of impending

necrosis where hyaluronidase was successfully used

along the distribution of the underlying vessel and

the adjacent patchy violaceous skin to remove some

of the product and seemingly decompress the ves-

sel.20 For more severe or unresponsive cases of ne-

crosis, Schanz and colleagues21 described their

success using deep subcutaneous injections of low-

molecular-weight heparin into the affected area.

Conclusion

The use of dermal fillers for cosmetic dermatology

indications is increasing rapidly, due in large part to

enhanced public interest in these products, decreased

Figure 4. Glabellar necrosis following injection of hyaluronicacid.

D E R M AT O L O G I C S U R G E RYS 9 8

U N D E R S TA N D I N G , AV O I D I N G , A N D M A N A G I N G D E R M A L F I L L E R C O M P L I C AT I O N S

Page 8: Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler ... · Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications JOEL L. COHEN,MD BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly

social stigma, and a larger range of effective options

available for a number of cosmetic enhancements. In

addition, the proven safety of these products also has

been a factor in their increased utilization. Although

rare, complications do occur. Therefore, an aware-

ness of the potential complications associated with

each product, as well as how best to avoid or manage

them if they do occur, can help maximize success

with these important therapeutic tools.

References

1. Andre P. Evaluation of the safety of a non-animal stabilized

hyaluronic acid (NASHAFQ-Medical, Sweden) in European

countries: a retrospective study from 1997 to 2001. J Eur Acad

Dermatol Venereol 2004;18:422–5.

2. Godin MS, Majmundar MV, Chrzanowski DS, Dodson KM. Use

of Radiesse in combination with Restylane for facial augmenta-

tion. Arch Facial Plast Surg 2006;8:92–7.

3. Narins RS, Brandt F, Leyden J, et al. A randomized, double-blind,

multicenter comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of Resty-

lane versus Zyplast for the correction of nasolabial folds.

Dermatol Surg 2003;29:588–95.

4. Narins RS, Jewell M, Rubin M, et al. Clinical conference: man-

agement of rare events following dermal fillersFfocal necrosis

and angry red bumps. Dermatol Surg 2006;32:426–34.

5. Brody HJ. Use of hyaluronidase in the treatment of granuloma-

tous hyaluronic acid reactions or unwanted hyaluronic acid mis-

placement. Dermatol Surg 2005;31(8, pt 1):893–7.

6. Hirsch RJ, Cohen JL. Surgical insights: challenge: correct-

ing superficially placed hyaluronic acid. Skin Aging 2007;15:

36–8.

7. Lemperle G, Romano JJ, Busso M. Soft tissue augmentation with

Artecoll: 10-year history, indications, techniques, and complica-

tions. Dermatol Surg 2003;29:573–87; discussion 587.

8. Berlin A, Cohen JL, Goldberg DJ. Calcium hydroxylapatite for

facial rejuvenation. Semin Cutan Med Surg 2006;25:132–7.

9. Beljaards RC, de Roos K-P, Bruins FG. NewFill for skin aug-

mentation: a new filler or failure? Dermatol Surg 2005;31(7 Pt

1):772–6; discussion 776.

10. Fernandez-Acenero MJ, Zamora E, Borbujo J. Granulomatous

foreign body reaction against hyaluronic acid: report of a case

after lip augmentation. Dermatol Surg 2003;29:1225–6.

11. Klein AW. Skin filling. Collagen and other injectables of the skin.

Dermatol Clin 2001;19:491–508.

12. Stolman LP. To the editor: human collagen reactions. Dermatol

Surg 2005;31(11 Pt 2):1634.

13. Leonhardt JM, Lawrence N, Narins RS. Angioedema acute hy-

persensitivity reaction to injectable hyaluronic acid. Dermatol

Surg 2005;31:577–9.

14. Sculptra [prescribing information]. Bridgewater, NJ: Dermik

Laboratories, 2006.

15. Werschler P, the Cosmetic Study Investigator Group. Efficacy of

injectable poly-L-lactic acid versus human collagen for the

correction of nasolabial fold wrinkles. Presented at the

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery; October 28, 2006;

Palm Desert, Calif. Abstract CS359.

16. Newburger AE. Cosmetic medical devices and their FDA

regulation. Arch Dermatol 2006;142:225–8.

17. Stewart D, Gladstone H, Mooney M, et al. Visible papules after

periorbital injection of poly-L-lactic acid. Ophthal Plast Reconstr

Surg 2007;23:298–301.

18. Toy BR, Frank PJ. Outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus infec-

tion after soft tissue augmentation. Dermatol Surg 2003;29:

971–3.

19. Glaich AS, Cohen JL, Goldberg LH. Injection necrosis of the

glabella: protocol for prevention and treatment after use of dermal

fillers. Dermatol Surg 2006;32:276–81.

20. Hirsch RJ, Cohen JL, Carruthers JD. Successful management of

an unusual presentation of impending necrosis following a

hyaluronic acid injection embolus and a proposed algorithm for

management with hyaluronidase. Dermatol Surg 2007;33:357–60.

21. Schanz S, Schippert W, Ulmer A, et al. Arterial embolization

caused by injection of hyaluronic acid (Restylanes). Br J

Dermatol 2002;146:928–9.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Joel L.Cohen, MD, AboutSkin Dermatology, 499 E. HampdenAvenue, Suite 450, Englewood, CO 80113, or e-mail:[email protected]

3 4 : S 1 : J U N E 2 0 0 8 S 9 9

C O H E N