Minimally invasive techniques have always been sought for, which, in principle, is progressive and correct. However, not always these newly developped techniques are properly tested and understood before being widely deployed. In the early 1990s, several types of gel were developed, including polyacrylamide gel, which was widely introduced into various parts of the body – the breasts, calves, buttocks, genitals, nasolabial folds, – in order to correct their shape. At certain period of time virtually all volumetric contour plastic surgeries were performed using these gels, and now it is known that PAAG is toxic and prone to tissue infiltration, calling for surgical removal.
Historically, this problem was noticed due to a surge of infections associated with PAAG injections. The polyacrylamide gel does not contain substances that provoke infections. Though, it may serve as a pathogen carrier and even “conservative vehicle”, as PAAG-associated infections tend to arise after a considerable period of time after injection. If aseptic technique is compromised during the injection, pathogens may be trapped inside the gel, and become active as the gel migrates through tissues over time.
Additionally, chemically aggressive nature of PAA leads to alteration and chronic inflammation of tissues over time. Add to this already dangerous mix of features the fact that PAAG is not encapsulated inside the body and may migrate into neighboring tissues, and you get a dramatic example of marketing getting ahead of research.
Therefore, our team, as well as all trustworthy medical organizations, urge all patients who have received such treatment (even if it does not bother them) to remove it as soon as possible, because it is a “ticking-time bomb”.
It all varies on the individual features of each case. If it’s an infection or significant inflammation process is already established, drains are placed, prolonged antibiotic therapy and physiotherapy are administered, which might prohibit surgery until patient is stabilized, and this may take up to 2 months. Another factor is PAAG volume and location – if there’s a lot of it and it has already infiltrated nearby tissues, then removal surgery will be more invasive, leading to longer recovery period. Also, extensive gel migration may make single-surgery removal impossible, requiring several interventions to be cleared completely.
Same goes for scars – it all depends on the exact surgical approach implemented. In benign cases there’s barely a scar left, as the procedure may be performed through a tiny incision. In other cases, significant scars may be left, though it is a small price to pay for removal of such a danger to one’s health. Also, we practice regenerative medicine techniques, which are very effective in scar formation prevention.
In any case, a preliminary consultation with the operating surgeon is a must.
