Body Shaping and Volume Restoration: The Role of Hyaluronic Acid

Abstract

Driven by the rising popularity of minimally invasive techniques, the demand for cosmetic procedures is increasing. Cosmetic body-shaping procedures can be categorized into those that remove tissue and those that add volume. This review focuses on the latter of these categories, particularly on the use of resorbable hyaluronic acid gels specifically developed for minimally invasive volume enhancement. Pilot studies of hyaluronic acid involving its injection to contour various body deformities and its recent use in female breast augmentation are discussed. Injectable hyaluronic acid is effective and well tolerated. It represents an attractive treatment option for volume restoration or augmentation by providing predictable long-lasting results after minimally invasive administration. Alternative treatment options for volume enhancement also are summarized including fat transfer, silicone implants, and the use of injectable nonresorbable products such as silicone, polyalkylimide, and polyacrylamide gels. As patients continue to opt for nonsurgical procedures that offer predictable results, the development of minimally invasive products such as hyaluronic acid is increasingly important.

The skills developed to treat injuries sustained during World War II currently are applied extensively to those born in subsequent decades. “Baby boomers,” individuals born in the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s, are increasingly turning to cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance. In the United States, individuals 40 years of age or older comprise 71% of all the patients who underwent cosmetic surgery during 2006 [3].

In 2006 compared with 2005, patients ages 40−54 years and 55 years or older respectively underwent 9% and 8% more cosmetic procedures. However, the rise in demand for cosmetic surgery procedures is not limited to older groups. Indeed, in 2007, the single greatest increase in demand for procedures was among those 20 to 29 years of age [3]. Confirming the interest in aesthetic interventions shown by younger groups despite their possession and advantage of “youth,” 22% of all cosmetic procedures undertaken in 2006 were performed for those 19 to 34 years of age [2]. The rise in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures has driven the overall growth in cosmetic surgery [2, 3].

This review focuses on the use of hyaluronic acid for body contouring and breast augmentation. It also briefly discusses the range of alternative treatment options for body reshaping (summarized in Table 1).

Table 1.

Summary of advantages and disadvantages of procedures/products used to create volume in the body

Intervention	Advantages	Disadvantages
Autologous procedures
Injectable fat	Potential for lasting durability	Unpredictability of cosmetic results
	Versatile (can be used for a wide variety of indications)	Unpredictability of fat survival
	Can be used in combination with liposuction to sculpt body	Donor site morbidity
	Filler completely biocompatible	Time consuming process
	Potential to regenerate surrounding tissues
Segmental fat transfer	Long-lasting graft survival	Requires appropriate donor site, so not suitable for many indications
		Donor site subject to considerable morbidity and scarring
		Time-consuming, complex procedure
		Requires general anaesthesia
		Extensive downtime
		Costly
Flap surgery	Long-lasting graft survival	Requires appropriate donor site, so not suitable for many indications
		Donor site subject to considerable morbidity and scarring
		Time-consuming, complex procedure
		Requires general anaesthesia
		Extensive downtime
		Costly
Allogeneous procedures
Silicone implants	Very long-lasting correction	Risk of rupture and other serious side effects
	No donor site required	Not suitable to correct small concavities
	Can be used to create substantial volume	More downtime required compared with minimally invasive procedures
	Less downtime involved compared with flap surgery	More costly than minimally invasive procedures
	Less complex and time-consuming compared with flap surgery
Injectable silicone	Long-lasting correction	Questionable long-term safety
	Requires no donor site	Little empirical evidence regarding safety and efficacy in the peer-reviewed literature
	Minimally invasive: little downtime, use of general anaesthetic not required, can be carried out in an office environment, quick, relatively inexpensive	Cannot be used to create larger volumes in the body
Polyalkylimide gel	Long-lasting correction	Questionable long-term safety
	Requires no donor site	Little empirical evidence regarding safety and efficacy in the peer-reviewed literature
	Minimally invasive: little downtime, use of general anaesthetic not required, can be carried out in an office environment, quick, relatively inexpensive
	Versatile
Polyacrylamide gel	Long-lasting correction	Questionable long-term safety
	Requires no donor site	Little empirical evidence regarding safety and efficacy in the peer-reviewed literature
	Minimally invasive: little downtime, use of general anaesthetic not required, can be carried out in an office environment, quick, relatively inexpensive
	Versatile
Macrolane™ VRF	Requires no donor site	Correction is not permanent
	Minimally invasive: little downtime, use of general anaesthetic not required, can be carried out in an office environment, quick, relatively inexpensive
	NASHA™ gels used in facial rejuvenation associated with a solid safety record
	Versatile

Hyaluronic Acid

Stabilized hyaluronic acid of nonanimal origin (NASHA™ gel; Q-Med AB, Uppsala, Sweden) was developed using patented technology. A number of NASHA-based products, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have been studied extensively for facial tissue augmentation in both the United States and Europe [5, 6, 10, 15, 16, 36].

Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, is a ubiquitous component of all mammalian connective tissues [20]. The chemical structure of hyaluronic acid is consistent across species, so potential for immunologic reactions is minimal when hyaluronic acid is used as a skin filler [31]. As hyaluronic acid is naturally and gradually degraded, the potential problems associated with permanent fillers, such as the permanency of incorrect injections or technical errors, are not applicable. Hyaluronic acid can be removed easily with the use of hyaluronidase.

To address the need for an injectable, biocompatible, and resorbable filler to enhance body contours, a new NASHA-based medical implant, Macrolane™ (Q-Med AB), was developed and approved in Europe in 2006. More recently, two improved versions of Macrolane with two different volume restoration factors (VRF) that have broader indications, Macrolane VRF20 and VRF30, have received CE marks. These novel products are indicated for volume restoration and contouring of body surfaces. Whereas VRF30 is intended primarily for deep subcutaneous administration, VRF20 (a thinner NASHA gel) is intended for more superficial subcutaneous injection.

A nonrandomized, open-label pilot study was conducted recently to explore the efficacy, duration of effect, and tolerability of the initial Macrolane formulation for recontouring body deformities of different etiologies (irregularities after liposuction and scars arising from trauma or surgery). The study was approved by the ethical committee at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Using a 12-gauge cannula, Macrolane was injected supraperiostally and/or into the subcutaneous fatty tissue, then spread into the area to be augmented. Patients initially were treated with Macrolane (≤20 ml), with an optional “touch-up” treatment given 4 weeks later.

An example of a concave deformity correction using Macrolane is illustrated in Fig. 1. Efficacy was assessed independently by patients and investigators at 4 weeks, then 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the last treatment using the Global Esthetic Improvement Scale (GEIS). The proportion of patients rated as improved (somewhat improved, moderately improved, or very much improved) was calculated using the “intention-to-treat” approach in an “observed case” manner (i.e., no imputations were made for missing data).

Fig. 1.

Correction of a body concave deformity by Macrolane injection. a Patient before treatment. b Patient 3 months after treatment

Of the 56 patients recruited, 46 completed the study. The patients initially received a mean Macrolane volume of 16.6 ± 8.5 ml. “Touch-up” treatment was performed for 16 of the 56 patients, who received a mean gel volume of 14.7 ± 4.9 ml. The proportions of improved patients, as assessed by the study investigators, were 87% at 4 weeks, then 85% at 3 months, 69% at 6 months, 75% at 9 months, and 52% at 12 months (Table 2). The corresponding rates, as assessed by the patients, were 81%, 80%, 69%, 70%, and 57% (Fig. 2).

Table 2.

Improvement of body shape after hyaluronic acid (HA) injection, as assessed by the investigator and patients, using the Global Esthetic Improvement Scale (GEIS)

	Time after HA injection	Proportion of patients (%)
		Somewhat improved	Moderately improved	Very much improved
Investigator-assessed	4 weeks	13.2	24.5	49.1
	3 months	23.6	36.4	25.5
	6 months	26.9	26.9	15.4
	9 months	38.6	25.0	11.4
	12 months	23.9	23.9	4.3
Patient-assessed	4 weeks	20.8	28.3	32.1
	3 months	29.1	27.3	23.6
	6 months	38.5	13.5	17.3
	9 months	38.6	15.9	15.9
	12 months	28.3	21.7	6.5

Fig. 2.

Proportion of improved patients after treatment with Macrolane, as assessed by both patients and investigators

No serious adverse events were reported, and the majority of treatment-related adverse events (58/69) were mild to moderate in intensity and transient in nature. The most commonly reported treatment-related adverse events were anticipated postinjection reactions such as injection-site pain (17 events) and injection-site reactions (swelling, tenderness, and/or redness; 13 events). These events typically occurred after injection, were of mild to moderate intensity, and resolved within 3 weeks. Six instances of fever also occurred, beginning at most 1 day after treatment and lasting 2 to 6 days. Antibiotics were used to treat these cases.

The potential use of Macrolane also was explored by the authors in an open multicenter pilot study approved by the appropriate ethical committee (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden) and designed to evaluate the treatment procedure, safety, and efficacy of NASHA for female breast augmentation. Nonpregnant, non–breast-feeding women aged 25 to 40 years with small breasts and seeking small-to-moderate augmentation were included in the study. Macrolane was injected at a level anterior to the pectoralis major muscle and posterior to the mammary gland using a 12-gauge needle. All the patients underwent clinical examinations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, and ultrasound scans. The patients were followed up for 48 months, and data from this period currently are being evaluated.

At the initial treatment session, 19 patients were injected with 80 to 100 ml of Macrolane per breast. Seven patients received touch-up treatment (20 ml) for a total of 12 breasts. The mean total volume injected per patient, in both breasts, was 211 ml (range, 180–240 ml). The investigator-assessed GEIS indicated that an aesthetic improvement was obtained for 97% of the breasts at months 1 and 3, for 100% at month 6, for 76% at month 12, 74% at month 18, and 47% at month 24. Figure 3 illustrates an example of breast augmentation after Macrolane injection.

Fig. 3.

Breast augmentation by Macrolane injection. a Before treatment. b Three months after treatment. c Six months after treatment

The most commonly reported adverse events were anticipated postinjection reactions such as injection-site pain (29 events) and injection-site reactions (18 events), described as swelling, redness, or hardness. These events typically were of mild to moderate intensity and persisted for up to 2 weeks. The most commonly reported cosmetic adverse events were implant palpability and nodules. Two patients had the implant removed: one due to capsular contraction and one due to inflammatory symptoms. Importantly, the injected material was easily removable by aspiration. A simple remedy for capsule formation was the use of external manipulation (closed capsulotomy). This old and abandoned technique for correcting capsules around silicone implants is far more acceptable with hyaluronic acid because this naturally occurring substance will be gradually absorbed. A total of five patients experienced inflammatory symptoms with onset 13 to 47 days after injection. These events were unexpected, and the reason for the accompanying fever was unclear. All cases resolved within 1 week, either spontaneously or after treatment with antibiotics and/or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs [38].

In summary, Macrolane gave satisfactory cosmetic results for at least 18 months for the majority of breasts treated. However, refinement of the gel and an improved implantation technique would enhance the efficacy and safety of the product. Most importantly, MRI and mammography did not show any morphologic alterations in the gland during and after absorption of hyaluronic acid. No cases of microcalcification were observed. The investigators (Tengvar M et al. [42]) also determined that it was considerably easier to interpret the results of mammography than those obtained with silicone or saline breast implant surgery. The injected hyaluronic acid gel was visible 12 months after treatment in the mammograms of all five patients who had follow-up mammography (i.e., only those older than 35 years). Mammograms from two representative patients (both breasts) are shown in Fig. 4. In two of the patients, the gel was located deeply and partly within the pectoralis muscle. In all cases, the gel was partially superimposed over the glandular tissue.

Fig. 4.

Mammograms (mediolateral oblique projection) at 12 months from two representative study participants. The arrows indicate the location of the implanted hyaluronic acid gel

Other Treatment Options

Fat Transfer

With the advent of liposuction, plastic surgeons were afforded a valuable by-product, namely semiliquid fat, that could be implanted with relative ease using a needle or small cannula [12, 19, 22, 24, 27]. Autologous fat transfer is intuitively appealing. The material is completely biocompatible, requires no pretesting, and usually is available in ample quantities [12]. Implanted fat can be removed if required yet also has the potential to be permanent. Because the ability to remove fat from sites of excess and to implant it into sites of deficiency allows the body to be sculpted, fat grafting has become increasingly popular. The prospective use of adipose tissue stem cells in tissue rejuvenation after implantation also has been investigated recently [30, 34].

However, fat grafting is not without its disadvantages. Infection is always possible with surgical procedures, and damage to local nerves, muscles, glands, and blood vessels is a possibility during harvesting. Compared with allogeneous injectable products, the procedure is time consuming and expensive, with unpredictable efficacy, and often is associated with pronounced swelling of the recipient tissues. A number of studies also have reported disappointing long-term survival rates for implanted fat, relatively low rates for long-term patient satisfaction, and excessive growth of the transplanted fat [12, 18, 25, 32]. Furthermore, fundamental questions remain regarding the optimal harvesting site, processing technique, and most effective injection technique [9].

Free fat grafts have been used successfully to create volume in facial, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery [14, 29]. A recent retrospective study of fat transplantation to the buttocks and legs showed that fat grafts were able to live and persist in patients, growing if the patient gained weight in the implanted area and not losing circumference when weight was lost [14]. The longevity of results achieved with free fat grafts is the principal advantage of the procedure. Transplanting a segment of fat causes less trauma to the graft and allows blood vessels to remain intact within the fat graft. Moreover, studies indicate reduced tissue loss and improved graft survival. However, free fat grafts require an appropriate donor site and are not suitable for many patients or indications. Furthermore, segmental fat transfer requires donor- and recipient-site incisions and has the potential for scar visibility [22]. The procedure is more time consuming and costly than injectable fat transfer, so it is not generally performed for purely cosmetic reasons.

Flap Surgery

Flap surgery can be used to create substantial volume for areas of deficiency, usually those arising from trauma (injury or surgery), tumor removal, and burns [4, 23]. For example, in breast reconstruction, the latissimus dorsi muscle flap can be used without significant loss of function. It can be moved into the breast defect while still attached to its blood supply under the axilla. Flap surgery often involves complex procedures associated with donor-site morbidity and considerable scarring, which are highly significant drawbacks to such surgery. It is therefore not an appropriate option for patients considering a procedure to create modest amounts of volume for purely aesthetic improvement.

Silicone Implants

The placement of silicone implants can provide long-lasting correction and substantial volume, hence their widespread use for breast augmentation. However, as with any invasive procedure, complications after implant surgery are not uncommon. It also is important to note that irrespective of how the implant is constructed or the hardness of the gel used, reoperation can be expected in a relatively large proportion of cases. Recent reports indicate that the risk of complications within the 3-year period after implantation is as high as 50% with some silicone implants [13]. Generally, silicone implants are not useful for correcting smaller concavities such as irregularities after liposuction or small scars.

Injectable Silicone

Use of medical grade silicone to repair complicated retinal detachments is approved by the regulatory authorities in both the United States and the European Union. Its off-label use for cosmetic purposes also has been explored [8]. Injection of silicone elicits a chronic inflammatory reaction, with giant cell formation and encapsulation of the injected product in fibrous tissue, thereby creating volume [17].

The use of injectable silicone has been hampered by adverse effects such as infection, palpable nodule formation, granuloma formation, migration, and silicone embolism [17]. However, its proponents claim that it is easy to use, long-lasting, and low in cost, and that high rates of complications usually are associated with the improper use of industrial grade silicone injected by unlicensed or unskilled practitioners [35]. Nevertheless, reports in the peer-reviewed literature to support its use for correction of large-scale volume deficiencies in the body are lacking.

Polyalkylimide Gel

Polyalkylimide gel (Bio-Alcamid; Polymekon Laboratories, Italy) received a CE mark in 2001 for use to create volume in both the face and body for cosmetic purposes. A recent review stated that the product is biocompatible, is easy to inject and remove, does not migrate, and can be used for correction of slight to very serious aesthetic defects [11, 39]. However, despite these suggestions, Bio-Alcamid does not currently have FDA approval.

The gel has been used to repair muscular defects after trauma, to augment the buttocks, and to correct postpoliomyelitis amyotrophy of the calves and pectus excavatum as well as irregularities after liposculpture and scar depressions [11]. It also has been used for a wide range of cosmetic defects of both the face and body, with high levels of patient satisfaction reported [28]. However, given the potential permanency of the gel and various reports of serious complications such as granuloma formation [21], long-term studies of the agent are required to confirm its safety and efficacy.

Polyacrylamide Gel

Polyacrylamide hydrogel is a nonresorbable sterile “watery” injectable gel (Aquamid; Contura, Soeborg, Denmark). Aquamid received its CE mark for soft tissue facial augmentation and corrections in 2001, which was extended in 2003 to include soft tissue corrections of the body. However, Aquamid does not currently have FDA approval. High rates of patient satisfaction have been reported for Aquamid treatment of facial contour deformities or soft tissue deficiencies caused by aging, acne, trauma, and surgery [43]. However, no studies on the safety and efficacy of this treatment for body contour deformities have been published.

Polymethylmethacrylate

Artecoll (Artes Medical Inc., San Diego, USA), composed of nonbiodegradeable polymethylmethyacrylate particles and bovine collagen, generally is recommended for use in the face. After deep dermal injection, the bovine collagen is broken down and replaced by endogenous collagen. Renamed Artefill, the product achieved FDA approval in 2006, although 21% of patients injected in the registration study experienced adverse events [7] and incidences of late-onset granuloma formation have been reported [1, 41]. Skin testing also is required with Artefill because the collagen in the product is of animal origin.

Discussion

The skilled plastic surgeon has a wide range of techniques and products available to create volume in the body. Although the type of defect in question very often limits the selection of interventions available, it is a reasonable assumption that where possible, patients prefer minimally invasive procedures over more drastic interventions. This assertion is supported by the remarkable growth in the number of minimally invasive procedures performed. Although the data do not demonstrate that minimally invasive procedures are replacing surgical treatments, the greater availability and choice of procedures appear to have stimulated increased demand [3].

Minimally invasive procedures offer several benefits. They can be performed using local anesthesia, thus reducing the risk of complications arising from general anaesthesia, and do not require hospitalization. Because the area of open tissue exposed is limited, the risk of serious infections is consequently reduced. Given that many patients seek augmentation for purely cosmetic purposes, avoiding the hospital environment is clearly desirable. Because the extent of trauma is less than with invasive procedures, recovery times tend to be shorter, and the patient can return to his or her normal routine far more quickly. There also may be less requirement for pain management, and patients usually can cope using over-the-counter remedies.

Injectable products also can offer the advantages of predictable, persistent correction through reproducible implantation techniques providing the physician has a thorough understanding of available products and their indications/contraindications and limitations [26]. Patients may find the relatively rapid results offered by injectable products inherently appealing, particularly if, as in the case of autologous fat transfer or hyaluronic acid injections, a natural material is implanted.

Fat transfer is the only minimally invasive treatment option for body recontouring that has gained widespread acceptance. In many ways, fat is an ideal filler. It is nonmigratory, noncarcinogenic, and nonteratogenic, with a low potential for abuse or misuse [26]. When used with the correct technique, it also can provide long-lasting results. However, the unpredictability of results, the uncertainties surrounding longevity, and the requirement for donor material may detract from the appeal of fat transfer. Donor material, unlike fat transfer, is not required with other injectable products, so these treatments may be more suitable for those who do not wish to undergo, or are unsuitable for, liposuction.

Although nonresorbable fillers such as Aquamid and Bio-Alcamid have shown promise, it is noteworthy that neither product has gained widespread acceptance among cosmetic surgeons. In two small pilot studies, the NASHA gel product Macrolane demonstrated potential for use in body recontouring and breast augmentation. An improved product, Macrolane VRF, has recently received European approval for breast enhancement, volume restoration, and contouring of body surfaces. Macrolane VRF was developed in part as a direct response to concerns that arose in these pilot studies, and no safety concerns have been raised with the use of this gel formulation.

Macrolane VRF offers several distinct advantages over permanent fillers. Because it is a natural product, NASHA gel has a good safety record when used cosmetically, and although results last up to 18 months [37], the product is nonpermanent, so long-term side effects are less likely than with nonresorbable products. If necessary, Macrolane is easily removable by aspiration. In addition, administration is a minimally invasive procedure, resulting in less downtime for patients and a shorter recovery time than traditional surgical methods.

The use of Macrolane VRF for breast augmentation perhaps holds the greatest promise. Because breasts are seen simultaneously as a marker of womanhood, a visual signifier of female sexuality synonymous with femininity, and essential for nurturing infants, it is not surprising that a great emphasis is placed on their appearance [33]. Furthermore, the current feminine ideal is one of a body both slim and large-breasted. Given that breasts are composed largely of adipose tissue, few women can naturally achieve this ideal. Perhaps for these reasons, breast augmentation currently is the most widely performed surgical cosmetic procedure, and its popularity is growing. Since 2000, the annual number of performed procedures has risen by 55% [3].

Dissatisfaction with breast size and shape generally motivates consideration of breast augmentation surgery [40]. In one study, by the age of 18 years, more than one-third of women expressed dissatisfaction with their breast size [33]. Among this huge number of potentially dissatisfied women, some consider augmentation surgery, but only a small proportion of these commit to undergo the procedure. However, if a minimally invasive option were to become widely available, it would offer women reluctant to undertake the risks of surgery the opportunity to achieve moderately increased breast size. It is therefore noteworthy that although the experience of injecting Macrolane into the female breast currently is limited, early results are promising and warrant further investigation.

In conclusion, the expanding array of products and techniques available has widened the scope of what can be achieved by adding volume to areas of the body. Hyaluronic acid has been specifically developed for minimally invasive volume enhancement, including facial tissue augmentation and breast enhancement. It is well tolerated, with predictable long-lasting results. As patients continue to opt for nonsurgical procedures that offer predictable results, the development of minimally invasive products is greatly welcomed.