A retrospective study published in Cureus, part of Springer Nature, compared the effects of four different lip filler injection techniques in an effort to identify the influence of needle direction on filler migration and patient satisfaction.

Researchers assessed patient records for 216 female patients aged 19 to 39 who had lip filler injected between 2017 and 2023 by the same surgeon, using four different techniques. The retrospective study aimed to compare different injection techniques, determine whether the direction of the needle during injection affects the distribution of filler on the lip and identify whether it has a role in filler migration to the upper lip.

The 216 patient records were divided by injection technique, with 54 patients in each group. Group 1 included: top-to-bottom technique with a 30-gauge needle; Group 2: bottom-to-top with a 30-gauge needle; Group 3: lateral to medial injection with a 30-gauge needle; Group 4: lateral to medial with a 23-gauge cannula. All injections were performed using the linear threading method, using a volume of 0.6 ml hyaluronic acid at a concentration of 20 mg/ml with 0.3% lidocaine. (See study for visuals.)

After three weeks, patient satisfaction scores were assessed on a scale of 0 to 5 (0: very dissatisfied; 5: very satisfied) using a questionnaire applied by a blinded medical aesthetic physician evaluator, taking into account filler migration to the upper lip. Patient satisfaction was found to be highest in Group 1, with needle orientation top to bottom, taking into account migration to the upper lip. 

The researcher suggests that direction of distribution may be an important factor in patient satisfaction, and encourages investigation into the role of other factors, such as filler type, injection volume and individual patient anatomy.

Read more at Cureus >>

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.64716