Five-year safety and efficacy of a novel polymethylmethacrylate aesthetic soft tissue filler for the correction of nasolabial folds

BACKGROUND A novel soft tissue filler composed of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres suspended in a collagen gel matrix containing 0.3% lidocaine (ArteFill, Artes Medical, Inc.) was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the correction of nasolabial folds. A randomized, multicenter, controlled pivotal trial performed in the United States established the safety and efficacy of this medical device throughout a 12-month study period. OBJECTIVE The objective was to substantiate the long-term 5-year safety and efficacy of this novel soft tissue PMMA filler. METHODS AND MATERIALS Attempts were made to contact all subjects treated with the PMMA filler that were enrolled in the original pivotal study. Safety was assessed by standard adverse event reporting methods. Efficacy was determined using a validated six-point facial fold assessment photometric grading scale using blinded observers' assessment of standardized photographs. RESULTS Subjects (n=119) demonstrated significant improvement in nasolabial folds comparing baseline (before any treatment) to 5 years after their last treatment (p <.001). Notably, subjects also demonstrated continued improvement between 6 months after their last treatment and Year 5 (p=.002). No serious unanticipated device-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION This PMMA filler is the first soft tissue filler to demonstrate continued improvement and persistence of correction over a 5-year period posttreatment.