Complications of polyacrylamide gel filler in the Asian-Australian population

Abstract

Polyacrylamide gel (PAAG), known as Aquamid® (Contura Limited, London, United Kingdom, EC4A 1LB) in Australia, is a hydrophilic, non-toxic substance introduced in the 1970s as a soft tissue filler. Banned in the late 1990s due to concerns regarding side effects such as breast cancer and glandular atrophy, there is currently no published data regarding PAAG fillers in the Australian literature. Given the increasing population of Chinese immigrants to Australia, complications will likely be seen more frequently within our healthcare system in the coming decades. This case series highlights two case in Australia with discussion of symptoms, signs and best-practice management.