6th International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Lipodystrophy in HIV 25–28 October 2004 - Washington, DC, USA

BIO-ALCAMID^™, A HIGH-VOLUME INJECTABLE PROSTHESIS FOR FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION IN HIV-RELATED LIPOATROPHY: REPORT ON 100 PATIENTS

Antiviral Therapy 2004; 9(6):L37 (abstract no. 60)

LC Casavantes¹ and M Gottlieb^2
1Clinic'estetica, Tijuana, BC, Mexico; and ²Polymekon USA, San Diego, Calif., USA

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a high volume injectable prosthesis containing 96% apyrogenous water and 4% biopolymer known as polyalkylimide (Bio- Alcamid^™, Polymekon Italy).

METHODS: One hundred patients with HIV-related facial lipoatrophy were treated, determining the number of sessions, amount of product and time required for a complete correction. Basal facial lipoatrophy severity was graded according to Clinic'estetica classification (L Casavantes, Consideraciones clínicas de la lipoatrofia facial asociada a infección por VIH, Dermatología CMQ, accepted for publication). For safety evaluation, biopsies were taken at different times after the procedures.

RESULTS: The volume of Bio-Alcamid^™ needed to replace the lost subcutaneous fat in these patients was relative to the initial severity of lipoatrophy and the patient's facial structure. Treatment was very well tolerated and the facial deficits were fully and permanently restored after two to four sessions in 100% of the patients. In all cases, the recuperation time was minimal, ranging from no down time to 3 days. Biopsies showed minor acute inflammation with no signs of chronic inflammation or granuloma. Two minor adverse events that occurred were controlled with no compromise to the desired final result.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that Bio-Alcamid^™ is a safe and effective treatment option for HIV-related lipoatrophy. The procedures were performed in an outpatient setting and, regardless of the severity level, excellent permanent restoration results were achieved to the satisfaction of both patient and investigator.

2004-10-25
60

Copyright © 2004 - International Medical Press Ltd. Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Medical Editor, International Medical Press, 36 St Mary-at-Hill, London EC3R 8DU, United Kingdom.