Intralesional Neodymium YAG laser to Treat Complications of Polymethylmethacrylate

Alberto Goldman; Uwe Wollina

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.348

Authors

Alberto Goldman Clinica Goldman and Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre
Uwe Wollina StÃ¤dtisches Klinikum Dresden, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Dresden http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5933-2913

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2018.348

Keywords:

Permanent fillers, Polymethylmethacrylate, Adverse reactions, Intralesional Nd, YAG laser, Management of adverse filler events.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dermal fillers are widely used for facial and body contouring. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a permanent biphasic filler for soft tissue augmentation. In case of unwanted side effects, drug therapy and surgical excision have been commonly used with mixed results.

AIM: We report on a series of patients with adverse events to PMMA and an innovative minor invasive procedure to reduce disfigurement by nodules and lumps.

METHODS: We employed a subdermal, intralesional 1,064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd: YAG) laser in combination with suction using a blunt liposuction cannula of 2.0-2.5 mm of diameter.

RESULTS: For 12 years, a total of 81 consecutive subjects (79 females and 2 males) were treated. The average age of the patients was 43.7 years (range 26 to 76 years). Granulomas and lumps could be removed in a minor invasive procedure with tumescent anaesthesia. In a minority of cases, the procedure had to be repeated. The results were impressive and not adverse events related to intralesional laser therapy were observed, 86.4% of patients were satisfied.

CONCLUSION: The procedure should be used before or in combination with classical surgery to remove PMMA in case of adverse tissue reactions to PMMA.