BACKGROUND: Polyalkylimide is a nonresorbable, biocompatible polymeric filler that has been used for several years to treat soft tissue deficits. The literature has shown a minor complication rate. We noticed that complications typically appear several years after injection. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complications reported after treatment with polyalkylimide. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We describe a retrospective evaluation, reported by members and candidate members of the Dutch Society of Cosmetic Medicine, of complications after use of polyalkylimide. RESULTS: In total, 3,196 patients were treated, and 4,738 treatments were performed, from which 154 complications (patient complication rate 4.8%, treatment complication rate 3.3%) were reported. The most common complication was inflammation; other complications were hardening, migration, and accumulation of the product. In some patients, skin biopsy followed by histologic examination was performed. CONCLUSION: Treatments with polyalkylimide have been reported to give rise to complications years after treatment. Even though the study described is a retrospective evaluation, we consider an overall complication rate of 4.8%, the severity of the complications, and the difficulty in treating them too high a risk for a cosmetic treatment. The Dutch Society of Cosmetic Medicine advises against the use of polyalkylimide.
BACKGROUND:Polyalkylimide is a nonresorbable, biocompatible polymeric filler that has been used for several years to treat soft tissue deficits. The literature has shown a minor complication rate. We noticed that complications typically appear several years after injection. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complications reported after treatment with polyalkylimide. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We describe a retrospective evaluation, reported by members and candidate members of the Dutch Society of Cosmetic Medicine, of complications after use of polyalkylimide. RESULTS: In total, 3,196 patients were treated, and 4,738 treatments were performed, from which 154 complications (patient complication rate 4.8%, treatment complication rate 3.3%) were reported. The most common complication was inflammation; other complications were hardening, migration, and accumulation of the product. In some patients, skin biopsy followed by histologic examination was performed. CONCLUSION: Treatments with polyalkylimide have been reported to give rise to complications years after treatment. Even though the study described is a retrospective evaluation, we consider an overall complication rate of 4.8%, the severity of the complications, and the difficulty in treating them too high a risk for a cosmetic treatment. The Dutch Society of Cosmetic Medicine advises against the use of polyalkylimide.
Authors: Wim H De Jong; Danyel Jennen; Peter H J Keizers; Hennie M Hodemaekers; Jolanda P Vermeulen; Frank Bakker; Paul Schwillens; Marcel van Herwijnen; Marlon Jetten; Jos C S Kleinjans; Robert E Geertsma; Rob J Vandebriel Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2022-06-30 Impact factor: 6.208