Surgical Management of Long-term Aquafilling Filler-Associated Complications: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

The Aquafilling method, once frequently employed in face, breast, and gluteal augmentation, has seen a gradual decline. At present, the clinical and surgical management of complications in patients who underwent augmentation with Aquafilling has become a topic of controversy. In our case, a 45-year-old female patient received an aquafilling injection for gluteal augmentation, alongside combined aesthetic surgeries, 10 years ago. She presented with pain and contour irregularity in both gluteal regions and infected swelling in the left inguinal area due to migration of the Aquafilling. Computed tomography imaging revealed that the filling material in the gluteal area had migrated to the inguinal area. The patient’s treatment process was completed with serial surgical debridement through a direct incision, vacuum-assisted wound care, and appropriate antibiotic treatment. In conclusion, this report discusses the surgical management of our patient, complications associated with aquafilling injections, and alternative surgical methods in addressing these complications. Although a definitive algorithm for the surgical management of Aquafilling complications is lacking, various surgical methods are highlighted in this report.

Keywords

• aquafilling
• aquafilling complications
• gluteal augmentation