Fat embolism syndrome secondary to the use of polymethylmethacrylate in bioplasty: a systematic review

Abstract

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is defined as the presence of fatty emboli, not only in the pulmonary system, but also in the systemic circulation, with inflammatory, neurological and cutaneous manifestations. Currently, in cosmetic surgery, the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) material is indicated for skin filling techniques used in injectable form in small non-incisional aesthetic procedures, known as bioplasty. The objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of the literature to show clinical studies that addressed the appearance of fat embolism syndrome in patients who underwent PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) infiltration in bioplasty. Even with the exhaustion of sources and the expansion of systematic research that followed the precepts of the PRISMA protocol, the answer was only one article that was added to the present study. Unfortunately, no reviews or experimental studies are looking at FES in PMMA infiltration. Most of the available reports are about liposuction and correlate with bone trauma when PMMA use is mentioned. This review serves as a wake-up call for nonscientific studies and reports on the risks of using PMMA in bioplasty, but no reports or articles were obtained related to life-threatening fat embolism.

Keywords

• polymethylmethacrylate
• fat embolism
• dermal fillers
• plastic surgery
• long-term adverse effects