A Systematic Review of the Literature of Delayed Inflammatory Reactions After Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection to Estimate the Incidence of Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Reaction.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler injection is believed to be a safe procedure. However, with the increase in the number of performed procedures and indications, the number of product-related complications, especially delayed inflammatory reactions, has also increased. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction is one of these delayed inflammatory reactions, which is preventable by performing a pretreatment skin test. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to find the incidence of delayed inflammatory reactions and DTH reaction after HA injection and to determine whether a pretreatment skin test is worthwhile to be performed. METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic literature review of all the relevant prospective studies, retrospective studies, and case reports on delayed inflammatory reactions and DTH reaction after HA filler injection. RESULTS: The incidence of delayed inflammatory reactions calculated from the prospective studies was 1.1% per year, and that of possible DTH reaction was 0.06% per year. Most retrospective studies estimated a percentage of delayed inflammatory reactions of less than 1% in 1 to 5.5 years. The incidence of DTH reaction would be lower than that. Among all the DTH cases reported, only about 5% of them were proven to be genuine DTH reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of both delayed inflammatory reactions and DTH reaction is low. There is evidence that genuine DTH reactions caused by HA fillers approved by the Food and Drug Administration do exist. This adverse event can be prevented by performing a pretreatment skin test. However, the incidence of DTH reaction is so low that the pretreatment skin test is not mandatory if Food and Drug Administration-approved HA fillers are used.

Delayed-onset Nodules (DONs) and Considering their Treatment following use of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers.

Delayed-onset nodules (DONs) represent a poorly understood and generally neglected group of complications. It is not a diagnosis. The underlying pathologies and their incidences are largely unknown due to the lack of specificity in clinical signs and the challenges in accessing diagnostic tests, cost implications, or reluctance from patients to undergo them. A lack of presumptive clinical diagnosis, coupled with management ranging from "scatter-gun" polypharmacy to clinical inertia, is believed to result in chronicity and increased morbidity. This paper provides guidance on the identification and understanding of the underlying pathologies and encourages the increased utilization of a medical model of care. The more routine adoption of histopathology, inflammatory markers, and ultrasound will permit a more targeted management and a greater understanding of the incidences and evolution of the pathologies.

Guideline for the Safe Use of Hyaluronidase in Aesthetic Medicine, Including Modified High-dose Protocol.

Vascular occlusions can occur with injection of dermal fillers, causing devastating outcomes for the patient. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that was first used in general medicine in 1949, but has gained widespread use in aesthetic medicine to dissolve hyaluronic acid (HA)-based dermal fillers. Knowledge of this drug and its use for other aesthetic indications is evolving, and there is often anxiety attached to the administration of animal-derived product due to fears of an allergic reaction. This paper provides guidance on the indications for use when dissolving HA filler with hyaluronidase. It discusses formulation differences, adverse events, allergy to wasp and bee stings, and how this increases risk of allergy to hyaluronidase. It also discusses incidence of allergy, which includes a discussion of types of allergic response and how this correlates to skin tests and a discussion on skin testing for allergy.

Guideline for the Management of Hyaluronic Acid Filler-induced Vascular Occlusion.

Vascular occlusions can occur with injection of dermal fillers causing devastating outcomes for the patient. The occurrence, and subsequent management, of these negative outcomes is a source of significant stress to the aesthetic clinician. Complications management is an essential component of clinical practice and professionals must develop competence and confidence in the identification and effective treatment of a vascular occlusion. The relatively rare occurrence of a vascular occlusion mandates that learning must be largely through the study of theory in addition to the sharing of learning experiences within a collaborative clinical community. The delivery of optimal care begins with an understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and the ability to assess and elicit clinical signs. Establishing a clinical diagnosis, targeted therapy can commence in a timely fashion. This paper provides guidance on how to identify and manage a vascular occlusion caused by cross-linked hyaluronic acid. It provides a detailed description of the pathological process of tissue ischemia, and introduces identifiable stages which will help to determine the extent of ischemia and the time frame since ischemic onset. The stages are particularly important as they highlight when wound support may be needed.

Consensus Opinion for The Management of Soft Tissue Filler Induced Vision Loss.

There are multiple treatment strategies proposed for the management of vision loss related to the injection of soft tissue fillers. Currently, there is no internationally accepted consensus on the immediate management of soft tissue filler induced vision loss (STFIVL). A recent systematic review of the literature concluded that there is not enough evidence to support retrobulbar hyaluronidase, and alternative treatments require exploration. The available literature demonstrates the inconsistent and unproven success of retrobulbar and peribulbar hyaluronidase in reversal of soft filler induced vision loss. Various therapeutics have been used to aid the reversal of vision loss but with mixed outcomes. The current evidence base does not support the use of retrobulbar and peribulbar hyaluronidase. The use of retrobulbar hyaluronidase for reversing soft tissue filler induced vision loss is controversial. Its efficacy remains unproven and there is mixed evidence within the literature. The current evidence suggests that there may be an increased risk of introducing severe adverse events associated with retrobulbar hyaluronidase and may even exacerbate the problem for those clinicians who are not ophthalmology trained. Therefore, we recommend two alternative treatment pathways for ophthalmology and non-ophthalmology trained practitioners. The suggested goal of this publication is to understand the pathophysiology of STFIVL, recognize signs and symptoms, and to propose algorithms to manage vision loss for both non-ophthalmology and ophthalmology trained clinicians. Clinicians must act swiftly and arrange immediate transfer to an emergency department or ophthalmology specialist setting to give the patient the best chance of vision restoration. The focus of any intervention for non-ophthalmology trained clinicians should be based around the immediate use of non-invasive techniques.

Guideline for the Management Herpes Simplex 1 and Cosmetic Interventions.

The Complications in Medical Aesthetics Collaborative (CMAC) is a not-for-profit organization established to promote best patient outcomes through educating clinicians who perform nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of complications that can arise. The organization is a global community sharing information, learning, experience, and data to promote best practice. Herpes simplex is common in the general population. The risk of reactivation due to trauma is acknowledged in the literature. Reactivation of herpes simplex 1 following cosmetic procedures is considered rare, but there are no reliable data on the incidence. Although self-limiting, symptoms can be painful and distressing for patients who have undergone a procedure to improve their appearance. Clinicians should document the steps they've taken to avoid reactivation, and should be confident in their management plan and patient care if a patient suffers a reactivation. The authors have referred to the available literature and experience to provide a user-friendly guideline to reduce risk of herpes simplex 1 reactivation through appropriate patient screening, promote accurate diagnosis and an understanding of differentials, and provide management plans for prophylaxis to minimize adverse sequalae. In cases of post-procedure outbreak, the guideline explains the management options, including patient education and support when prescription medications are not indicated.

Guideline for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Acute Bacterial Soft Tissue Infections Following Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures.

The Complications in Medical Aesthetics Collaborative (CMAC) is a nonprofit organization established to promote best patient outcomes through educating clinicians in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of complications that can arise following nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. The organization is a global community sharing information, learning, experience, and data to promote best practices. There is no reliable data on the risk or incidence of acute infection following a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure, but it is considered to be a rare complication. This article explores the evidence base for precautions and best practice standards, including an examination of the rational for standard aftercare advice and guidance on prevention, diagnosis, and management protocols.

Facial Vascular Events and Tissue Ischemia: A Guide to Understanding and Optimizing Wound Care.

The Complications in Medical Aesthetics Collaborative (CMAC) is a nonprofit organization established to promote best patient outcomes through educating clinicians in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of complications that can arise following nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. The organization is a global community sharing information, learning, experience, and data to promote best practices. This article explores how dermal filler vascular events can cause tissue ischaemia leading to a facial wound. Ideally, vascular events will be diagnosed early and amenable to reversal with hyaluronidase if caused by a cross-linked hyaluronic acid. If there is significant and extensive hypoxia to the area, there is delayed diagnosis, or the injected product cannot be reversed, the management should center around optimizing wound care. Both simple and complex wounds will benefit from good care. Patients seek aesthetic treatments to improve how they look and can be vulnerable to poor outcomes. Wounds, if not treated appropriately, can result in permanent scarring or other sequalae, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. There are many publications addressing vascular events in aesthetic practice, but providing optimal care for facial wounds is not addressed.