120 Cases of Facial Foreign Body Granuloma

Purpose: As the use of soft tissue fillers becomes more popular, complications such as foreign body granuloma (FBG) are increasing. We report 120 cases of facial FBG and review the available literatures. Methods: 120 patients of facial FBG in our clinic from Mar. 2003 to Feb. 2008 were complied and analyzed. A retrospective chart review was done and patient satisfaction was evaluated with a questionnaire using 5 score scale. Patients with severe inflammation sign or bizarre deformity underwent surgical excision and those with minimal symptoms or a history of hyaluronic acid injection received injection therapy using hyaluronidase. Results: 100 females and 20 males were observed. The average age was 43.7 years (from 16 to 74). 84 patients received surgical therapy and 36, injection therapy. Deformity of facial contour, foreign body sensation and inflammation sign were the three main chief complaints. 84 patients did not know what the injection materials were. The known materials are as follows: collagen, hyaluronic acid, silicone oil, paraffin. 92 cases were performed by unlicensed practitioners, 29 by physicians. Anatomical site most frequently affected by the foreign body granuloma was the cheek (25.8%), followed by forehead (19.2%), lips (15.8%), nose (9.2%), mentum (8.3%), eyelid and eyebrow (4.3%) and temple (0.8%). In 21 patients (17.5%), FBGs were found on multiple sites. Patients with inflammation sign got the highest satisfaction ($3.19{\pm}0.73$) (p=0.001) among 3 chief complaints. And patient satisfaction was statistically higher in surgical therapy group ($3.43{\pm}0.72$) than in injection therapy group ($2.97{\pm}0.88$) (p=0.003). Conclusion: We suggest that it may be beneficial to tailor the type of treatment for FBG relying on wound state and patient's chief complaints. In surgical therapy, resolute approach is necessary to correct facial deformity definitely and to minimize inflammation. Injection therapy could be another option for those with minimal symptoms or a history of hyaluronic acid injection. To prevent foreign body granuloma, not only plastic surgeons but also other physicians should inject soft tissue fillers with great caution and we should warn the public of disastrous consequences associated with illegal medical practice.

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