Removal of Silicone Granuloma from the Buttocks using VASER Liposuction

Patients who present with a history of silicone injection to the buttocks or gluteal region may present with debilitating complications, such as chronic pain, chronic infections such as cellulitis and abscesses; skin necrosis and silicone granulomas that may cause deformity of the buttocks.  Unfortunately, silicone toxicosis of the gluteal region (buttock) can be difficult to manage.

Management of Silicone Toxicosis of the Buttock

• An MRI of the gluteal region will need to be obtained to evaluate the location and extent of the silicone granulomas
• Treatment may range from surgical excision versus suction-assisted lipectomy with VASER liposuction with concomitant fat transfer to the buttock to correct the resulting deformity from liposuction

Clinical Study using VASER Liposuction for Removal of Silicone Granulomas of the Buttocks

• "Average patient age was 36 years (range, 25-43 years). All patients initially presented with intense pain as assessed by a visual analog scale; by the 12th week postoperatively, the entire cohort experienced remission in pain. At 1 year postoperatively, no patients had infections (vs 75% preoperatively; P = .028), visited the ER (vs 50% preoperatively; P = .058), or were hospitalized (vs an average of 1.5 hospitalizations per patient preoperatively; P = .066)."

• "Liposuction with immediate intramuscular fat transfer for buttock augmentation appears to be a safe surgical option that preserves aesthetic appearance for patients with gluteal silicone toxicosis."

References:

Salgado, et al.  Liposuction and lipofilling for treatment of symptomatic silicone toxicosis of the gluteal region. Aesthet Surg J. 2014 May 1;34(4):571-7. doi: 10.1177/1090820X14527107. Epub 2014 Mar 27.

Emmanuel De La Cruz MD, PLLC

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Houston, Texas