A new highly viscoelastic hyaluronic acid gel: rheological properties, biocompatibility and clinical investigation in esthetic and restorative surgery

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.

Graphical abstractEighteen months post-implantation, hyaluronic acid gel is partially absorbed. Hyaluronic acid gel is pooled into metachromatic vacuoles surrounded by fibrous strands and only slight infiltration of inflammatory cells.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (326 K)Download as PowerPoint slide