title: A new highly viscoelastic hyaluronic acid gel: rheological properties, biocompatibility and clinical investigation in esthetic and restorative surgery.
abstract: Nowadays there is an increased demand for safe and effective volume enhancing fillers to achieve soft tissue augmentation in order to overcome tissue defects and aging-associated skin changes. In the present study we characterized the rheological and biological properties of Variofill(®), a new highly viscoelastic hyaluronic acid gel, by investigating the local effects following subcutaneous implantation in the rat to detect the host-tissue reactions and biodegradation over 18 months. We also investigated, for the first time, the application of Variofill(®) in esthetic and restorative surgery in two medical case reports. In the first case report we successfully performed Variofill(®) treatment to improve facial scars in a patient previously involved in a car crash. In the second case report we carried out a novel procedure involving a high-dose (1000 ml) injection of Variofill(®) into the dermis and subcutis of the abdominal quadrants in order to allow a classic reconstructive procedure of the abdominal wall in a patient presenting a wide incisional hernia.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; Poliambulatorio del Secondo Parere, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: tommaso.iannitti@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iannitti
authors.forename: Ali Ö
authors.initials: AÖ
authors.lastname: Bingöl
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rottigni
authors.forename: Beniamino
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Palmieri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods*; D055682:Viscoelastic Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D055682:Viscoelastic Substances; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: Hernia; Histology; Hyaluronic acid; Implantation; Rheology; Soft tissue filler; Variofill(®)