Airway complication associated with injection of phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholic acid into the neck: a case report

Sanith Cheriyan,Jacob Jervis-Bardy

doi:10.34239/ajops.v4n1.194

Abstract

The practice of delivering cosmetic injectables in the outpatient setting continues to grow in Australia.1 The increase in demand has seen a dramatic rise in the number of new cosmetic injectable clinics using telehealth prescribing services. Lipodissolve treatment is an example of a non-surgical procedure that aims to improve the appearance of a ‘double chin’ by injection of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) into submental adipose tissue. We describe a case of an airway complication and hospitalisation secondary to the injection of Lipodissolve in the neck of a 23-year-old female.

Highlights

The practice of delivering cosmetic injectables in the outpatient setting continues to grow in Australia.[1]
Lipodissolve treatment is an example of a non-surgical procedure that aims to improve the appearance of a ‘double chin’ by injection of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) into submental adipose tissue
We describe a case of an airway complication and hospitalisation secondary to the injection of Lipodissolve in the neck of a 23-year-old female

Summary

Introduction

The practice of delivering cosmetic injectables in the outpatient setting continues to grow in Australia.[1]. We describe a case of an airway complication and hospitalisation secondary to the injection of Lipodissolve in the neck of a 23-year-old female. Flexible nasoendoscopy (FNE) revealed marked oedema of the right lateral pharyngeal wall and aryepiglottic fold causing narrowing of the laryngeal airway (Figure 1a and b). The patient required initial monitoring in the intensive care unit followed by inpatient observation for six days before discharge home She was treated with piperacillin and tazobactam due to febrile episodes and high inflammatory markers (elevated white cell count [neutrophilia] and C-reactive protein). She returned to the outpatient clinic two weeks after discharge with a fibrous subcutaneous lump over her submental region but had an otherwise normal endoscopic examination of the larynx

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion