PMMA-collagen gel effective, safe as ‘long-term filler’ in mid-face volume loss
An extension study of polymethylmethacrylate-collagen gel showed that this intervention may improve mid-face volume loss through 36 months, according to a study.
The researchers noted that polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-collagen gel has demonstrated safety and efficacy for mid-face volume deficit correction through 12 months.
“It is the only 5-year-plus duration filler so we wanted to evaluate its effectiveness for mid-face volume loss,” Bruce Katz, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of JUVA Skin & Laser Center, New York, told Healio.
In the prospective, single-center, 2-year extension study, Katz and Madeline Malayeva, BEd, clinical research coordinator at JUVA Skin & Laser Center, assessed the safety and efficacy of PMMA-collagen gel at 24 and 36 months.
The analysis included 22 patients who underwent this intervention in the initial study.
A 2-point improvement from baseline to the 24- and 36-month time points as assessed by the Midface Volume Deficit Scale served as the primary outcome measure. The researchers also assessed for Physician Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (PGAIS) and Subject-rated Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (SGAIS) at those time points.
“We used 3D imaging, which is not usually performed in filler studies,” Katz said. “I believe it to be the best way to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the changes from fillers.”
Results showed that 100% of patients met the primary endpoint at both 24 and 36 months (P < .0001).
Further results showed that at 24 months, 100% of patients reported at least some improvement in PGAIS score. At 36 months, 95% of patients reported some improvement by this parameter.
Similarly, enhanced appearance as evaluated by SGAIS was reported by 91% of patients at 24 months and 95% at 36 months, according to the findings.
Safety data showed no additional adverse events in the extension study that were not previously observed in the initial study.
“Doctors are always concerned about the side effects of PMMA, but we were surprised that there were not more than with most other fillers such as minor bruising and swelling,” Katz told Healio.
Overall, Katz believes that this is a positive outcome for PMMA in this patient population.
“PMMA, as a long-term filler, is safe and effective for mid-face volume loss,” Katz concluded.