BACKGROUND. Injectable synthetic materials have been used for augmenta
tion of soft tissue defects, correction of wrinkles, and augmentation
of facial features such as the nasal dorsum. Success has been limited
by inflammatory reactions, material migration, and the difficulty of r
emoval should complications occur. OBJECTIVE. TO evaluate complication
s resulting from soft tissue augmentation with injectable alloplastic
materials. METHODS. Retrospective review of seven cases. Clinical hist
ory, treatment, histopathologic findings, and outcomes are assessed. R
ESULTS. Inflammatory reaction and tissue damage were refractory to ant
ibiotics and steroids, and surgery was required to remove the foreign
material. Histologic examination revealed giant cell foreign body reac
tion in all cases. CONCLUSION. Injectable synthetic polymers can produ
ce significant complications including deformity and inflammatory tiss
ue destruction, the control of which is complicated by the difficulty
of removing the materials. Removable tissue fillers, such as e-PTFE, o
r natural materials such as collagen, autologous,fat, or Alloderm, sho
uld be considered instead. (C) 1997 by the American Society for Dermat
ologic Surgery, Inc.