Unforeseeable consequences of illegal filler injections

Despite repeated warnings from doctors, hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City still record many cases of serious complications after injecting fillers of unknown origin at unlicensed, underground cosmetic facilities.

Widespread abscess, ugly scarring and severe damage

Dr. Nguyen Phan Tu Dung, Professional Director of JW Korean Hospital ( Ho Chi Minh City), said that the hospital has recorded many cases of emergency patients due to injections of cheap "collagen fillers" of unknown origin.

Doctor dredges pus inside the patient's buttocks. Photo: JW Hospital

For example, a 33-year-old female patient (living in Ho Chi Minh City) was admitted to the emergency room with a swollen, purple-red, and severely painful left buttock, unable to sit or walk. MRI results showed an abscess 20cm long, 15cm thick, penetrating from the buttock down to the thigh and spreading to the pelvis.

The patient said that he had received “collagen filler” injections to enhance his butt 7 years ago at an unknown facility. Faced with the critical condition, the team had to perform emergency surgery and drain out nearly 2.5 liters of pus and necrotic tissue, place a negative pressure suction machine and administer high doses of antibiotics to control the infection.

The team had to perform emergency surgery and drain nearly 2.5 liters of pus and necrotic tissue. Photo: JW Hospital

At the Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital, Dr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Department of Plastic Surgery, said that the hospital regularly receives cases of complications after filler injection, including many cases of complicated abscesses that last for a long time and cause severe damage.

A typical case is a 35-year-old female patient who was hospitalized with an abscess in the left buttock measuring about 40 x 20cm after receiving filler injections at an unlicensed, unknown cosmetic facility.

Due to the rapid progression, the abscess spread to the mid-thigh area and to the front near the vulva, the hospital held a hospital-wide consultation and performed emergency surgery. During the surgery, the doctors drained about 350 ml of opaque brown pus. After surgery, the patient was cared for, cleaned and had her bandages changed daily.

According to Dr. Cuong, the biggest difficulty was the painful dressing change process due to the large wound. In particular, the results of bacterial culture and testing for bacteria were both negative, so it was diagnosed as sterile abscess, a rare disease that is difficult to treat. After 2-3 weeks of treatment, the amount of pus gradually decreased, the patient was sutured for the second time, the wound healed but still left an ugly scar on the buttocks.

“The cost of treatment in these cases is often quite high, due to the long hospital stay, the use of antibiotics for 2-4 weeks and the need for complicated post-operative care,” Dr. Cuong added.

At the Department of Treatment on Demand - Sports Medicine of People's Hospital 115, doctors have just successfully treated a 20-year-old female patient with a severe breast abscess after being injected with a filler of unknown origin.

Through medical history, the patient working in Malaysia returned to Vietnam and went to a private cosmetic facility to inject fillers into both breasts. A few days after the procedure, the right breast appeared swollen, hot, red, painful and had an unusual green discharge.

Upon admission, the patient showed signs of swelling, throbbing, and green pus leaking from the injection site. Ultrasound confirmed a large abscess in the right breast. If not treated promptly, the infection could spread, causing severe deformity and affecting the patient's health.

Specialist Doctor Khuong Quoc Khoa, Department of Treatment on Demand - Sports Medicine said: "During the surgery, we aspirated about 100 ml of cloudy, thin pus mixed with foul-smelling mucus filler. The team made a wide incision, cleaned the abscess and drained it to control the infection."

After more than 10 days of antibiotic treatment, wound care and close monitoring, the patient recovered stably and was discharged from the hospital. The breast area was preserved, ensuring aesthetic factors, leaving no significant deformities.

Be alert to online advertising information.

According to doctors, the leading cause of complications after filler injections is the violation of aseptic principles during the procedure. Many beauty facilities are unlicensed, the injectors are not doctors, and do not have a practicing certificate, leading to infections, abscesses, and even tissue necrosis.

Dr. Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized: “The principle of asepsis is the basic foundation when performing any invasive procedure. People who are not properly trained or do not have a practice certificate often do not fully understand or ignore this process, leading to infection and complications.”

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Health , to be allowed to inject fillers or perform invasive procedures on the human body, doctors must have a legal practice certificate. Currently, there are two specialties that are allowed to perform this procedure, including the Cosmetic Plastic Surgery specialty, which is allowed to inject fillers immediately after having a practice certificate.

As for Dermatology, due to its internal medicine nature, in addition to a practice certificate, doctors need to have advanced training certificates in filler injection techniques and skin surgery.

However, the reality shows that the advertising and injection of fillers at unlicensed facilities is still widespread. Doctors recommend that you absolutely do not inject fillers of unknown origin or advertised as “cheap, painless” to avoid serious consequences to your health and beauty. If you have unusual symptoms after injection, you should go to the hospital early for timely treatment to avoid serious complications.

Dr. Nguyen Phan Tu Dung recommends that people absolutely do not inject fillers at spas or unlicensed beauty facilities. Poor quality fillers can cause infections, abscesses, necrosis and leave serious consequences. All beauty needs must be performed at specialized hospitals, with well-trained doctors and medical-standard materials. In particular, before performing any service, you must verify the information. Absolutely do not easily believe online advertisements.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/hau-qua-khon-luong-tu-tiem-chat-lam-day-khong-phep-20251009152211307.htm