Abstract
Background
Exogenous growth factor presents promising soft tissue regeneration, but the complications from injectable exogenous growth factor seem to be growing. However, there is no detailed summary of complications and sequential treatment protocols. It is noted that the injection of exogenous growth factor into the soft tissue is an unreasonable or even illegal procedure, which could cause uncontrollable tissue growth and some other complications.
Methods
A total of 65 patients underwent analysis retrospectively for complications related to the injection of exogenous growth factor from 2017to 2022 at Xijing Hospital in China. Initially the symptoms mainly consisted of redness, skin temperature arisen, itching, tissue hypertrophy, localized swelling, mass, and lump, with later manifestations including ulcerations and purulent discharge. A comprehensive treatment scheme was formulated based on the location and size of the lumps as well as the type of complication. Post-treatment satisfaction was evaluated over a mean 16-month follow-up (range 6–39 months).
Results
A total of 65 patients participated in the treatment. Drug injection therapy was initially performed on all patients. If injections were not effective, surgical treatment (debridement/excision/liposuction) was performed. Twenty-eight patients were managed with intralesional injections alone. Patients reported improved satisfaction in 23 cases (82.14%), full symptom resolution in 3 cases (10.72%), and no improvement in 2 cases (7.14%). Surgery was required for 37 patients. Postoperative improved satisfaction was reported in 30 cases (81.08%), full symptom resolution was recorded in 4 cases (10.82%), and no improvement was seen in 3 cases (8.10%).
Conclusions
This study highlights the management of complications arising from exogenous growth factor injections through the implementation of a sequential therapy approach. Specifically, this approach involves the initial administration of drug injection therapy, and if drug injection therapy proves ineffective, then surgical treatment is pursued. In conclusion, the injection of exogenous growth factors into soft tissues should be forbidden.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 82102355.
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This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Xijing Hospital; Air Force Medical University (Approval number: KY20170212).
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Jie Long and Ziang Zhang are co‐first authors.
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Long, J., Zhang, Z., Pei, J. et al. Complications of Injected Exogenous Growth Factor for Cosmetic Facial Rejuvenation: A Case Series and Sequential Therapy. Aesth Plast Surg 48, 440–450 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03630-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03630-6