Quality-Based Evaluation of Patient-Facing Online Education Materials Regarding Facial Filler Procedures

Injectable facial fillers have become tremendously more popular in recent years, and the Internet offers a proportional amount of consumer-facing educational material. This study sought to explore the quality of these online materials. The top 20 Web sites offering educational materials about facial filler were identified via Google search and sorted by source: Medical Professional Boards, Hospitals and Providers, Medical News and Reference, and Fashion. The materials were assessed for overall quality with the validated DISCERN instrument. The authors also assessed understandability and actionability (Patient Education Material Assessment Tool - PEMAT), accuracy, comprehensiveness, and readability (Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Flesch Reading Ease). The mean DISCERN score was 46.9 ± 7.6, which is considered “fair” quality educational material; above “poor,” but below “good” and “excellent.” Understandability and actionability scores were low, particularly with respect to visual aids. The materials were generally accurate (76–99%), but scored poorly in comprehensiveness, as 15% failed to mention any risks/adverse effects and only 35% mentioned cost. On average, readability was at an 11th grade level, far more complex than ideal (< 6th grade level). Information disseminated from seemingly reputable sources such as professional boards and hospitals/providers were not of higher quality or superior in any of the above studied domains. In conclusion, online educational materials related to injectable facial fillers are of subpar quality, including those from academic and professional organizations. Visual aids were particularly weak. The facial rejuvenation community should make a concerted effort to set a higher standard for disseminating such information.

Adverse Events Following COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients Previously Injected with Facial Filler: Scoping Review and Case Report

The “Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee 17 December 2020 Meeting Briefing Document”, formulated by the FDA, reported three cases of swelling in areas previously injected with HA filler, introducing the possible relationship between a COVID-19 vaccine and adverse events in areas previously injected with HA fillers. The aim of this research is to report a case of an adverse event following a COVID-19 vaccine in a patient previously injected with facial filler. Furthermore, a scoping review on the same topic was performed. The research was carried out on the electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scopus. The selection process identified four articles as eligible for inclusion in the review. Nineteen patients, including the described case report, who experienced an adverse event following a COVID-19 vaccine in areas previously injected with facial filler were identified. Adverse events following a COVID-19 vaccine in patients previously injected with facial filler appear to be rare. A high BDDE cross-linking rate and/or a low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid filler may have a higher tardive adverse event rate when triggered.

452 Dermal Filler Injection Leading to Facial Cellulitis: A Case Report

Background Aesthetic medicine is a rapidly expanding field that is progressively becoming a normal part of society’s health and beauty regime. Hyaluronic Acid dermal filler injections are the second most widely performed aesthetic procedure, following Botulinum Toxin type A. Although serious complications are rare, they can have a detrimental impact on aesthetic outcome and general health. Infections following dermal fillers can be difficult to treat and have the potential to require hospital admission, intravenous antibiotics and surgical intervention. Case description We present a case of a 41-year-old female who suffered from facial cellulitis as a consequence of palpebro-malar groove dermal filler injections. The patient had 0.1ml of Monalisa dermal filler injected over her right malar prominence and suffered complications 6 days later, which eventually lead to the need for hospital admission on day 12 following the procedure for intravenous antibiotics. The management of this aesthetic procedure complication is outlined to highlight the risks and serious complications of these procedures. Conclusions Facial cellulitis is a rare adverse event following facial filler injection; however, it is an important risk factor to discuss during the consent process for these procedures. In addition, it is important that a highly trained and skilled professional performs these injections using a sterile non-touch technique due to the potential for serious complications and the anatomical proximity to vital structures.