Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) microspheres/liquid poly(dimethylsiloxane) composition for correction of small defects in face: histological evaluation in animal experiment.

Two kinds of composition based on commercial liquid poly(dimethylsiloxane) and laboratory-made poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) microspheres of different size fractions (30-40 or 125-180 microm) were prepared. Tissue reaction on injection of the compositions, optimum microsphere size and morphology were investigated in the experiments on rats. The microspheres induced foreign body reaction characterized by an increased content of fibroblasts and mild infiltration of injection field by inflammatory cells. The 125-180 microm microspheres seemed to be well covered with poly(dimethylsiloxane) and more uniformly distributed in the tissue than the 30-40 microm ones. As a result, the extent of foreign body reaction induced by the former microspheres was somewhat lower than that induced by the latter. Moreover, time-dependent degradation of 30-40 microm PHEMA microspheres was more pronounced than that of 125-180 microm ones, which can affect duration of the aesthetic effect after prospective facioplasty. Results of histological investigations demonstrate a good prospect of the proposed composition for contour and bulk facioplasty of small soft tissue defects and skin wrinkles.