Over the past 60 years, hyaluronidase has been successfully utilized in ophthalmic surgery and is now being implemented in dermatosurgery as well as in other surgical disciplines. The enzyme is considered a “spreading factor” as it decomplexes hyaluronic acid (also called hyaluronan, HA), an essential component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). When applied as an adjuvant, hyaluronidase enhances the diffusion capacity and bioavailability of injected drugs. Therefore, the enzyme has been used as a local adjuvant to increase the diffusion capacity of local anesthetics, increasing the analgesic efficacy, and the anesthetized area particularly in the first minutes following injection, resulting in diminished intra- and postoperative pain. In aesthetic medicine, the off-label use of hyaluronidase is considered the gold standard for the management of HA-filler-associated complications. Here, we review the clinical use, underlying biological mechanisms, and future directions for the application of hyaluronidase in surgical and aesthetic medicine.

BackgroundHyaluronidase (Hylase Dessau®) is a hyaluronic acid-metabolizing enzyme, which has been shown to loosen the extracellular matrix, thereby improving the diffusion of local anesthetics. Lower eyelid edema is a common post-interventional complication of cosmetic procedures performed in the lid region, such as the injection of hyaluronic acid fillers for tear-trough augmentation. The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy of hyaluronidase in the management of lower eyelid edema.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis with 20 patients with lower eyelid edema. Most patients (n = 14) presented with edema following hyaluronic acid injection (tear-trough augmentation), whereas the minority (n = 6) were treated due to idiopathic edema (malar edema or malar mounds). Patients were treated by local infiltration of approximately 0.2 ml to 0.5 ml of hyaluronidase (Hylase Dessau® 20 IU to 75 IU) per eyelid. Photographs were taken prior to and seven days after infiltration.ResultsHyaluronidase was found to reduce effectively and rapidly or resolve eyelid edema after a single injection. No relevant adverse effects were observed. However, it must be noted that a hyaluronidase injection may also dissolve injected hyaluronic acid fillers and may therefore negatively affect tear-trough augmentations. While the effects of a treatment for edema due to tear-trough augmentation were permanent, malar edema and malar mounds reoccurred within two to three weeks.ConclusionThe infiltration of hyaluronidase is rapid, safe and currently the only effective option for the management of eyelid edema. No relevant adverse effects were observed.

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Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based injectable fillers three-dimensionally restore the natural contours of the lips and perioral area, thereby reducing some signs of aging lips. To evaluate the short-term aesthetic impact of treatment with the HA dermal filler Juvéderm® VOLBELLA® with Lidocaine, formulated utilizing VYCROSS™ technology, for enhancement or correction of asymmetry of the lips, evaluated using a patient-centric approach. Sixty-two subjects were enrolled in this study, conducted at two sites in Germany. Primary endpoints were satisfaction with improvement, look and feel of the lips, assessed by subject and physician at first visit and 4 weeks post-treatment. Immediately after injection at first visit, 83.6% of subjects were Extremely Satisfied, Very Satisfied or Satisfied with improvement in the lips, which increased to 94.1% and 93.0% of subjects with/without top-up treatment at follow-up, respectively. After injection at first visit, 61.7% of subjects rated the look and feel of their lips as Extremely Natural or Very Natural, which increased to 75.0% and 93.0% of subjects with/without top-up treatment, respectively. The HA dermal filler was associated with minimal discomfort, bruising or swelling of the lips; almost two-thirds of subjects (62%) returned to social engagements on the same day. The high degree of subject satisfaction with aesthetic improvement in the lips, as well as the natural look and feel, indicates that this HA dermal filler represents an effective treatment option for patients requiring lip enhancement.

BackgroundSafety and efficacy of botulinum toxin A for glabellar line (GL) treatment are well established. Currently approved formulations require reconstitution before injection.ObjectivesThe authors sought to assess 6-month efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of new ready-to-use abobotulinumtoxinA solution for injection (ASI) in patients with moderate-to-severe GL at maximum frown.MethodsThe authors conducted a phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (NCT02353871). Patients (N = 185) were randomized (2:1) to receive ASI 50 U or placebo. GL severity was evaluated at days 8, 15, 29, 57, 85, 113, 148, and 183 employing a 4-point scale for investigator’s live assessment (ILA) and subject's self-assessment (SSA). Primary endpoint was ILA of GL at maximum frown at day 29, and secondary endpoints were ILA and SSA of GL at maximum frown (all time points), patient satisfaction with GL appearance, time to onset, and duration of action.ResultsResponder rates were significantly higher for ASI vs placebo (88.3% vs 1.4%; P < 0.0001) at day 29 by ILA and all time points by ILA (P < 0.0001-0.0441) and SSA (P < 0.0001-0.0036). Sixty percent of patients reported onset of treatment response on or before day 3 (P < 0.0001 vs placebo), and in 5% of patients, efficacy by ILA lasted 6 months (day 183; P = 0.0441 vs placebo). Patient satisfaction rates were significantly higher for ASI vs placebo at all visits (P < 0.0001). Safety was comparable with the known abobotulinumtoxinA profile.ConclusionsASI was significantly efficacious for improving moderate or severe GL vs placebo by investigator and patient assessment. ASI was associated with high patient satisfaction, a long duration of action, and comparable safety profile to abobotulinumtoxinA.Level of Evidence: 1