Lip augmentation with a new filler (agarose gel): a 3-year follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Many fillers have been used to augment lips. Agarose gel is a new and absorbable filler indicated for the correction of soft tissues and lip.


OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the results of 68 cases that have undergone lip augmentation with this new filler in the last 3 years.


METHODS
A total of 68 patients received agarose gel for treatment for lip augmentation in a 3-year period from 2005 to 2008. Each of the patients signed an informed consent form. The patients were between 35 and 70 years of age. Three patients were male, and 65 were female. A volume of 0.5-1.0 mL of agarose gel was sufficient for each lip. A bigger volume may result in a dense mass and pain. All patients were successfully treated with injections of agarose gel.


RESULTS
Clinical improvement was noted immediately, and only mild bruising was recorded. All of the the patients returned to the clinic 10 days after treatment for follow-up, and all felt that an excellent cosmetic result was obtained. The patients were told to return after an additional month for follow-up and possible reinjection. The results lasted approximately 5 months with a gradual decline to baseline. The agarose gel was very well tolerated with only a few mild adverse reactions that resolved spontaneously.


CONCLUSIONS
During 3 years of clinical use, agarose gel proved to be a reliable and predictable treatment for lip augmentation.
Scarano
Antonio
A
Dental School, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. ascarano@unich.it
Carinci
Francesco
F
Piattelli
Adriano
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008046:Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012685:Sepharose / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; D012685:Sepharose