What Are my Risks of Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens from a Used Syringe of Restylane?

asked 1 year ago by mykr in Brookfield, WI
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 220 times
Tags: herpes, risk, syringe

hat are my risks of exposure to Bloodborne pathogens from a used syringe of Restylane? Isn't this malpractice? My employer did this without my knowledge or consent. After a severe outbreak of herpes I became suspicious of the treatment I received. I confronted my employer and she admitted using 2 partial syringes that had been used on 2 other people. She didn't respond when I asked if she changed the needles. Please help!!

10 answers to What Are my Risks of Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens from a Used Syringe of Restylane?

Re-using Dermal Filler Syringes

I am shocked to hear a story like this – unbelievable! Restylane and Perlane (as well as all other pre-packaged sterile injectable fillers) are single use only. This means that the syringe is to be used one time only for a single patient treatment. If the entire syringe is not used during that treatment session the syringe should be disposed. Re-using left over product, even in the same patient, is not recommended to reduce the risk of bacterial infection. Re-using left over... more

Kenneth Dembny, II, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon

This is a very serious issue.

No needle or syringe should ever be reused on another person. For the same reason, partially used syringes of filler or BOTOX should never be stored for later use. Unused material must be disposed of in a sharps container to avoid the risk of contamination or cross-contamination. Hepatitis and AIDS has been transmitted in this fashion. I am not an attorney, however, you might want to consider contacting a labor lawyer regrading your situation. I do not believe... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Restylane - What Are my Risks of Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens from a Used Syringe of Restylane?

The primary concern for you is your health, and you need to do a few things to make sure you're okay. The syringes are intended to be for single-patient use, and at one time. It is not advisable to share syringes between patients for any reason, and that's even with the assumption that new needles are used. There is simply too much risk of contamination. More and more medications are being packaged for single use for this reason. Although it is comforting to... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Single use of Restylane

The syringes are for one patient use only. Unfortunately, there are doctors or lay injectors who will share. However, proving that yout infection came from that syringe will be difficult. Report it to your state medical board.

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Syringes of Fillers are to be Used Only Once

I am sorry to hear of your unfortunate situation. It will be difficult to prove whether your herpes outbreak was caused by the reuse of another patient's Restylane, but this should never be done. Your employer (is she a doctor?) should not be injecting patients if these are her standards.

James Bartels, MD
Manchester Facial Plastic Surgeon

Using the Same Restylane on 2 Different Patients?

Hi Mykr. If it's not malpractice then it is very, very bad medicine. You should get an answer to your last question before taking the next step. It is important to know whether or not needles were change to answer your first question. If they were not, then you may well have been exposed to any medical conditions that the other patients may have had. As you can see from the other practitioner's responses, it is hard to imagine a physician doing this to one... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Restylane castoffs not for use.

What on earth is she thinking? throw out the old syringes. there is nothing that is free in this world. if it was done without your knowledge, you need representation.

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Any physican would change the needle after injection

I would suggest that you have a open discussion with your physician. your doctor should not reuse partially used filler. It is not good medicine. The concern is contamination and transmitting blood born infections.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Restylane Syringes are Single Use

Mykr, It is not uncommon to see oral herpes ("cold sores") after Restylane injection, especially to the lips. This is considered a reactivation of latent herpes virus. If your herpes outbreak was oral, then this is probably the explanation. Although I have heard of some doctors dividing a syringe of Restylane between two patients (after switching needles), this is not recommended and is not standard of care. I would not "split" a syringe of... more

Michael McCracken, MD
Boulder Oculoplastic Surgeon

Restylane syringes are single use only

Restylane syringes, as well as any other fillers that come in pre-packaged sealed, sterile syringes are for one time use and only in one patient. Re-using any left over product from a syringe that has been used to inject a patient is not recommended by the filler companies and generally considered to not be safe for many reasons. I suggest you have a frank discussion with your employer (injecting physician) at a time when you can sit down and not be rushed (not in between patients) and find... more