The use of polymethyl-methacrylate (Artecoll) as an adjunct to facial reconstruction

Clinical commentary about foreign body complications over 20 years after polymethyl-methacrylate face implants and control of late sequelae with Polynucleotides Highly Purified Technology (PN-HPT® )

INTRODUCTION

Mainly in the past, foreign body complications, including granuloma, were pretty frequent after semi-permanent polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) implants.

RESULTS

The authors describe a twenty-year history of recurring post-PMMA complications interspersed by long uneventful years, with acute edematous side effects evolving into unpleasant skin dystrophia with persistent cutis laxa. The case report also discusses a simple clinical algorithm to discriminate among foreign body complications with particular attention to granulomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude by discussing the benefits of the anti-dystrophic treatment with natural-origin remodeling PN-HPT^® (Polynucleotides Highly Purified Technology).

ArteFill: A Third-Generation Permanent Dermal Filler and Tissue Stimulator

The technical and physiologic shortcomings associated with prior generations of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) dermal fillers have been reduced significantly since their original market introduction in 1989. For example, the PMMA microspheres in the third-generation product ArteFill meet the new limit set by the FDA of less than 1 particle below 20 micrometers per 100 microspheres (< 1% by the number). Therefore, it is expected that the already low granuloma rate following injections with second-generation product Artecoll (1:5000) will be reduced further with injections of ArteFill. In the authors' experience, both Artecoll and ArteFill have proven to be safe, predictable, and effective dermal fillers. It is anticipated that Artefill will receive FDA approval in late 2006 and will be marketed internationally.