Dr. Katzen Treats Illegal Buttock Injections on Female With Closed Technique*

When symptoms from illegal injections continue years later, removing the foreign material can become an important part of feeling comfortable again.  Our patient is a 51-year-old Hispanic female who had illegal foreign body injections placed into her buttocks and hips in 2008.  She came to Dr. Katzen with pain, burning, itching, and discoloration in the buttock region.  Because these symptoms can be related to a foreign body reaction, Dr. Katzen performed silicone injection removal using the closed technique while the patient was under general anesthesia.  During the closed technique, small access points are used to reach the affected areas without making a large open incision.  Dr. Katzen treated the buttocks and hips to remove as much injected material, scar tissue, and inflammatory tissue as safely possible.  This procedure may be considered for selected patients with silicone, permanent filler, or unknown foreign-body injections when the product can be addressed with a less invasive approach.  Closed silicone removal can help reduce the burden of foreign material, improve symptoms, and refine the buttock contour.  Photos were taken 17 months after surgery, and our patient achieved remarkable results.  Most importantly, she feels much relief from her pain.  This case shows why patients with illegal buttock injections, hip injections, burning, itching, discoloration, or chronic discomfort should seek evaluation from a surgeon experienced in silicone removal.