A Multi-Center, Open-Label, Prospective Study of Cannula Injection of Small-Particle Hyaluronic Acid Plus Lidocaine...

BACKGROUND: The use of blunt-tipped microcannulas for injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler in the lip and perioral area has gained popularity as they provide important safety-related advantages compared to traditional hypodermic needles. This study was conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness associated with the use of a blunt-tipped microcannula for lip augmentation and correction of perioral rhytids using a small-particle, hyaluronic acid gel plus lidocaine (SPHAL).

METHODS: A multi-center, open-label, prospective, study enrolled 60 subjects. Subjects reported injection-related events (IREs) for 2 weeks posttreatment via diary. Adverse events (AEs) were collected throughout the study. Secondary assessments at 4 and 12 weeks posttreatment included treating investigator- and subject-reported improvement in lip fullness using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and investigator-assessed improvement in lip fullness using the Medicis Lip Fullness Scale (MLFS).

RESULTS: Sixty subjects were enrolled and treated with a mean total volume (ie, both lips and optional perioral rhytids) of 2.2 mL. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) reported and assessed as related to the product and/or injection procedure included injection site swelling (13.3%), injection site bruising (6.7%), and injection site pain (1.7%). These were typically mild and transient in nature. No serious AEs (SAEs) were reported. Following treatment, clinically significant improvement using the GAIS and MLFS was demonstrated throughout the study (GAIS improvement at week 12 for both lips: investigator-reported, 98.0%; subject-reported, 84.3%; MLFS improvement at week 12: investigator-reported, 96.1%).

CONCLUSION: SPHAL was well tolerated and effective following injection with a blunt-tipped microcannula. No unanticipated safety concerns were identified in the study population.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(1):10-16.