Long-term outcomes of surgically removed migrated polyalkylimide (bio-alcamid) filler to the periorbital area

• Main Authors: Ziyad A. AlHarbi, Hind M. Alkatan, Adel H. Alsuhaibani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-07-01
• Series: Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319453419300414

Purpose: To report the long-term follow-up results after surgical excision of migrated Bio-Alcamid fillers to the Periorbita area. Methods: A retrospective case series of all patients who underwent surgical removal of migrated Bio-Alcamid fillers to the Periorbita area with minimal follow-up of 1 year from January 2009 to January 2018 was done. Results: 16 female patients (24–52 y) presented with an upper or lower eyelid swelling 3–7 years following a filler injection in the nasal bridge, temporal or malar area. All patients had surgical excision of a granulomatous mass ranging in size from 1–3.5 cm. The histopathology report revealed a giant cell reaction in all patients. Follow–up periods ranged from 1 to 8 years. One patient developed lid retraction and another had recurrence 3 years later; the remaining had an unremarkable course. Conclusions: Filler migration is one of the potential complications associated with Bio-Alcamid soft tissue injection. It is important for all physicians to assess nodules/masses/swelling in the facial area to be aware that soft tissue fillers may migrate to a location away from their intended site of injection years after the injection. Patients undergoing surgical excision tend to have favorable overall long-term outcomes in terms of aesthetics and incidence of recurrence. Keywords: Polyalkylimide, Filler, Periorbita, Permanent