Lumps from permanent fillers

Nissan Pilest, MD answers: What can I do about lumps from a PMMA product like Artefill or Artecoll?

Hi I have developed a granuloma under each eye in the tear trough area from a product called "Precise," which is a PMMA product I received in Mexico 2 years ago. This product is essentially the same as Artefill/Artecoll. I have been to see several doctors and have done extensive research on the internet. It appears I have two real options, the first is to have the product removed doing micro-lipo suction with a fine needle to scrape out the particles, which should not cause scarring, and the other is to have it surgically removed. I tried steroid injections but the change was minimal and short lived. Here are my questions: Is it possible to remove PMMA with micro-lipo if the product is encapsulated or embedded? Would surgically removing from the tear trough area cause serious scarring or can it be handled in a way to leave scars that are manageable? I welcome and appreciate any answers or insight !! Thanks.

Nissan Pilest, MD
2 months ago

First of all, to everyone reading this, don't have a permanent filler placed under the eyes. They have never been recommended for this area, for good reason!
Unfortunately, most people do far less self-education on cosmetic treatments before they get them than after.

Second, stay at home for your cosmetic treatments and choose Board Certified Dermatologists or Board Certified Plastic Surgeons for cosmetic treatments. The FDA assures that rigorous testing is done in clinical studies with dermal fillers before they are approved. This is not a certainty in other countries which have a different (or no) system of physician qualification, training or product safety rules and testing.

ArteFill is not the same as Precise (Percise) or Artecoll or other permanent fillers found outside the U.S. ArteFill was re-engineered from Artecoll (used in Europe) to lessen the problem potential of granulomas. ArteFill contains a low percentage of polymethylmethacrylate beads -- 20% PMMA. The rest is collagen which breaks down and is removed by the body. ArteFill requires an allergy test (another safety factor).

I will not use ArteFill (Artefill is the only FDA approved noresorbable filler at this time) in any area other than that indicated in the FDA approval. Nor will I inject ArteFill before a patient has used a temporary filler first to gauge satisfaction with the correction they receive.

Any filler product can produce late stage reactions, but the chances are extremely low with temporary fillers like Juvederm, Restylane or a low concentration HA like Prevelle Silk. The more permanent the product, the more potential to small lumps or bumps.

Regarding the filler you received in Mexico:

There was no specific component information that I could find on Percise other than it is PMMA suspended in a saline hydrogel...and there was no information on percentages indicating the ratio of the PMMA to the carrier.

Now, to answer your question about removing a granuloma under your eye.

PMMA is a permanent particulate implant. It is meant for deeper injection in the nasolabial folds, not under the eyes, not in the lips and not in other areas of the face. Your problem will likely be most acceptably addressed with surgery - and I'd recommend you only go to a reconstructive plastic surgeon or an oculoplastic surgeon who will have the skills to minimize any scarring.

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