Liquid Rhinoplasty Risks

Demand for non-surgical (liquid) rhinoplasty has increased in recent years. Although exact rates are difficult to quantify, the procedure poses safety risks. Fillers accidentally injected into a vessel may embolize and cut off blood supply, which may lead to skin necrosis or blindness. Review “Liquid Rhinoplasty: How to Make Patients Aware of the Risks,” published in April 2020 in ENTtoday before you take this quiz.

Which of the following are NOT factors to consider when physicians are contemplating integrating endoscopic ear surgery (EES) into their practice?

A) During the procedure, clinicians should have a ready supply of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that can be used to dissolve hyaluronic acid (the most used filler in non-surgical rhinoplasties).

B) To reduce risk from the procedure, it should be performed not by paraprofessionals, but by board-certified physicians with access to the latest CME training and peer-reviewed resources on liquid rhinoplasty.

C) Patients may mistakenly perceive dermal fillers as very low risk. They need to be educated about the potential complications of the procedure before opting to move forward.

D) By using a needle instead of a 22-gauge cannula to inject the dermal filler, physicians may be able to decrease the risk of vascular embolization, blindness, and skin necrosis.

Question by Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD