Clinical experience with polymethylmethacrylate microsphere filler complications

Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012 Apr;36(2):421-6. doi: 10.1007/s00266-011-9803-z. Epub 2011 Sep 10.

Abstract

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) filler is widely used for the correction of wrinkles because of its relative long-lasting cosmetic improvements and the rarity of reported complications. However, early and delayed complications, ranging from minor to severe, can occur following PMMA filler injection. We evaluated and treated 13 cases of PMMA filler-related complications that were referred to our institution from July 2005 to June 2010. Of these patients, 92.3% were female and 7.7% were male. Complications were roughly classified as (1) nodular masses, (2) inflammation, (3) allergic reactions, and (4) discoloration. Affected locations were the lips, periocular wrinkles, nasolabial folds, forehead, marionette wrinkles, and cheeks. As there is no standard treatment modality for PMMA filler complications, patients were managed with various treatments aimed at minimizing morbidity. In the cases of lip granuloma, we recommended intralesional steroid injection first, followed by surgical excision, including lip mucosa and orbicularis oris muscle in intractable cases. Additional studies should be conducted to determine the safety of PMMA injection, reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions, and identify risk factors that are associated with higher complication rates.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Collagen / adverse effects*
  • Collagen / therapeutic use
  • Cosmetic Techniques / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microspheres*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate / adverse effects
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Artecoll
  • Collagen
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate