Prospective Multicenter Study for Evaluation of Safety, Efficacy, and Esthetic Results of Cross-Linked Polyacrylamide Hydrogel in 81 Patients

Abstract

Cross-linked polyacrylamide hydrogel, a nonabsorbable soft-tissue filler, has given promising results regarding efficacy and safety at 24 months of follow-up, but because adverse reactions have been described years after injection of some other fillers, a prolonged follow-up was required. To examine the safety and efficacy of the hydrogel in facial contouring after 36 to 48 months (mean 40 months). In this prospective multicenter trial, the esthetic results and safety of the treatments were assessed at 36 to 48 months, and the results were compared with those seen previously. Eighty-one patients participated. The investigator rated esthetic results as very good or good in 99% of cases, and 98% of patients rated esthetic results as very satisfactory or satisfactory. Two of nine reported adverse events were possibly related to hydrogel treatment. One was initial infection after a touch-up, and one was continuous itching 1 year after injection. The polyacrylamide hydrogel filler was still well tolerated after 36 to 48 months with no long-term unexpected adverse events and no loss of filler effect.