The Risk of Skin Necrosis Following Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection in Patients with a History of Cosmetic Rhinoplasty

Abstract

Background

As the number of patients using dermal filler for face augmentation increases, the number of adverse events associated with injection may increase. Unpredictable repositioning of blood vessels and a more tenuous blood supply in the operated nose may increase the risk of ischemia, necrosis and vascular embolism following the filler injection.

Objectives

To highlight the importance of the patient's history of previous cosmetic procedures including rhinoplasty in the emergence of vascular complications.

Methods

Our medical records over a two-year period were reviewed retrospectively to identify all patients who were treated at our center for vascular complications associated with facial hyaluronic acid filler injections. In each case, the subject's demographic data (gender and age), habitual status, past medical and surgical history, the symptoms and clinical presentation at the first visit, the time interval between the injection and the onset of symptoms, injected filler material and brand, injection sites, the introduced treatment, and photographs were reviewed carefully.

Results

A total of seven patients were identified, each developing skin necrosis following injection of the hyaluronic acid filler. All patients reported a cosmetic rhinoplasty more than three years ago.

Conclusions

Our finding confirms the conjecture previously made in the literature and suggests that the distinctive vascularity of the nose and the surrounding area may cause filler augmentation induced vascular complications in patients whose vascular circulation has already been compromised by a previous nose surgery.