A study of the microbiological profile of filler-induced skin necrosis.

Skin necrosis is one of the most severe complications following filler injections that results in permanent aesthetic defects. Although an increasing number of studies have addressed the management of dermal filler complications, no study has described the spectrum of microbial pathogens. The aim of this study was to delineate the bacterial profile and prognostic factors of filler-related skin necrosis through a review of the clinical and microbiological features of these patients. A retrospective medical record review of patients undergoing treatment for skin necrosis induced by fillers was conducted. For the 10 cases, the injection sites were the nasolabial fold (70%; n = 7), nasal dorsum (20%; n = 2), or nasal tip (10%; n = 1). Of the 10 patients, after excluding cases of contamination, the true culture-positive rate was 50%. To avoid permanent sequelae, all physicians should be aware of possible secondary infections when treating filler-induced skin necrosis.