Background: Facial lipoatrophy (FLA) is associated with HIV infection and is part of the lipodystrophy syndrome. Temporary filler treatments do not meet the need of the patient, as there is a lack of permanence, and excessive cost.
Objective: We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a highly purified medical-grade 1000-cst liquid injectable silicone in the treatment of HIV-associated FLA using the serial microdroplet injection technique.
Methods: Twenty patients with HIV-associated lipoatrophy were treated with liquid injectable silicone with a maximum of 6 treatment sessions (2.0 mL each session maximum). Patients were evaluated at 9-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up sessions. Safety, efficacy, injection volumes, and patient satisfaction were evaluated.
Results: No persistent adverse effects were reported throughout the study. Most of the patients achieved complete correction of their HIV-associated FLA after 6 treatments and maintained this correction to the 18-month follow-up.
Limitations: This is a noncomparative, nonblinded study. Study patient population size is small.
Conclusion: Given our small sample size of 20 patients, our results suggest that, if administered correctly, liquid injectable silicone is potentially a safe, effective, and natural-feeling treatment option for HIV-associated FLA. Larger studies may be needed to confirm safety, efficacy, and permanence.
Keywords: AE; CLSS; Carruthers Lipoatrophy Severity Scale; FLA; HIV-associated lipoatrophy; LIS; QOL; adverse event; facial lipoatrophy; liquid injectable silicone; permanent soft tissue filler; quality of life; silicone oil.
Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.