09-11, 14:20–14:40 (Europe/Istanbul), Facial Plastic 1
Experts in our field have previously issued guidelines to optimize the safety of filler injections. Despite the risks, a growing online trend of at-home self-injection of fillers in the face is putting patients in danger. We present our experience treating acute vascular injury in the United States. Based on the most recent literature, we share our protocol and its efficacy for this specific case. The fast-growing popularity of fillers in the beauty industry, and the availability of online content and videos on how to perform self-injections, likely give a false sense of safety to patients. Physician awareness is essential to prevent serious complications in our patient population. A strong knowledge of facial anatomy, the use of FDA approved products, and having the procedure performed by a trained medical professional are key elements to successful and safe filler injection.
The goal of this presentation is to present a case of acute vascular injury and review the immediate treatment protocol that should be implemented when facing this emergency. We will also present a review of the most up to date literature on filler complications and management. Acute filler complications remain one of the most feared emergency in the facial plastics office, and prompt recognition of symptoms and management are warranted.
Dr Isabelle Gengler is an American and French facial plastics and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty, facial nerve reanimation surgery, reconstructive microsurgery, and cosmetic surgery of the face. She completed medical school and Otolaryngology-HNS residency in France, then moved to the United-States where she completed a second Otolaryngology residency, followed by a fellowship in Facial Plastics and Reconstructive surgery of the face at the Johns Hopkins hospital in 2025. She is now an attending physician at the Thomas Jefferson University/Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, where she is establishing a reconstructive center dedicated to facial nerve and reconstructive surgery. She performs both cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, in adults and children. She also serves as the Vice Chair of Research for the YO-IFOS group since 2023.
