Delayed complications from polyacrylamide gel breast fillers: a case report

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Dermatology
• Oncology

Background:

• Polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) was widely used in China for breast augmentation and contouring starting in the late 1990s.
• Due to a rise in complications, PAAG was banned in China approximately 10 years after its introduction.
• Delayed complications from PAAG fillers can manifest years after initial injection.

Observation:

• A patient presented with significant unilateral breast swelling and an intracapsular lesion, 20 years post-PAAG injection.
• The clinical presentation suggested a potential complication related to the long-standing breast filler.
• Imaging and subsequent surgical findings were crucial for diagnosis.

Findings:

• Surgical excision successfully removed the PAAG breast filler.
• Histological examination confirmed a benign breast lesion associated with the filler.
• The case highlights the long-term sequelae of PAAG injections.

Implications:

• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for delayed PAAG filler complications, even decades after implantation.
• Awareness of these long-term risks is crucial for patient management and informed consent.
• This case underscores the importance of long-term follow-up for patients who received PAAG injections.