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PMMA Safety for Facial Filling: Review of Rates of Granuloma Occurrence and Treatment Methods

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Abstract

PMMA is composed of microspheres suspended in bovine collagen. Once injected in a dermal area, the carrier is absorbed, giving place to collagen that gives volume and maintains the spheres in the place. This process may give origin to exacerbate foreign body reaction and granuloma. The frequency of such complication is not clear. The primary objective was to review and compare the frequencies of granuloma between the published studies. The secondary aim was to compare the therapies and efficacies. The series of cases in which PMMA was used as facial filler were reviewed, and the rate of granulomas was compared; the case report studies describing those complications were also reviewed, and the therapies and outcomes were quantified. The data showed general frequency of PMMA-related complications of 4.9% and granulomas 1.9%; the incidence of granuloma was 1/2075 patients-year, and the time to development ranged from 6 to 180 months. The most used therapies were steroid, surgery or both, with satisfactory results. In conclusion, considering the actual risks and benefits of PMMA, we may affirm that it is a safe filler; doctors and patients must be conscious of potential risks when deciding for its use.

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    Bruno Peres Paulucci

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Paulucci, B.P. PMMA Safety for Facial Filling: Review of Rates of Granuloma Occurrence and Treatment Methods. Aesth Plast Surg 44, 148–159 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-019-01522-2

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