Management of vascular complications following facial hyaluronic acid injection: High-dose hyaluronidase protocol: A technical note

Abstract

Aesthetic medicine has experienced major developments in recent years, which is illustrated by the increasing number of hyaluronic acid injected in the area of facial rejuvenation. Although considered low risk, it can rarely result in arterial embolization with potentially major aesthetic and functional consequences. These vascular complications range from livedo to skin necrosis to permanent blindness. In such cases the management is urgent. Early care leads to a successful recovery but most of the time the diagnosis is delayed. Several treatments have been suggested and the use of hyaluronidase is decisive. There is no official guideline on the use of hyaluronidase. The aim of this article is to propose a protocol to clarify the management of vascular complications of HA with high doses of hyaluronidase based on the literature and our clinical experience of 35 patients treated.

Keywords: Fillers; Hyaluronic acid; Hyaluronidase; Vascular complications.