The History of Injectable Silicone Fluids for Soft-Tissue Augmentation

Abstract

A better understanding of the history of injectable silicone fluids for soft-tissue augmentation can give insight into the pitfalls and complications surrounding its use. There has been an evolution in the technique and type of products used for soft-tissue augmentation. In its current use, silicone oil for permanent soft-tissue augmentation could be a very powerful tool. There is some literature that supports the use of a small amount of purified, high-viscosity silicone oil; however, there has not been a single longitudinal study to date with appropriate follow-up data. The unanswered question remains: Are the risks worth the potential benefits of silicone oil as a permanent filler?

Materials to facilitate orbital reconstruction and soft tissue filling in posttraumatic orbital deformaties

“…Since 1960s, silicone oil has been used for volume augmentation. [42] It's cheap but its outcome is not satisfactory and it needs multiple injections. Many authors have reported complications like extrusion, immigration of implants and infections.…”

Imaging Features of Midface Injectable Fillers and Associated Complications

“…34,35 Silicone oil has a relatively high incidence of foreign-body granuloma formation, though this adverse reaction most commonly results from the use of preparations that are not "medical grade" silicone. 13,32,36 Several histologic types of foreign-body granulomas can occur, depending on the type of filler agent used, including the classic giant cell granuloma type associated with most new fillers and cystic and macrophagic types associated with liquid silicone. 37 Consequently the imaging features of foreign-body granulomas are variable, ranging from solid-to-cystic round or ovoid foci with associated irregular microcalcifications or small ringlike or large eggshell calcifications and surrounding fibrosis (Fig 14).…”

Slow-sound photoacoustic microscopy

“…Moreover, silicone oil is non-toxic and has been used in medical applications, such as in eye injection for managing complicated retinal detachments 11,12 and in soft tissue injection for tissue augmentation. 13,14 Without carrying out systematic biological studies, we believe that silicone oil is a relatively simple and safe choice for injection into biological tissues to reduce the speed of sound.…”