HIV facial lipodystrophy treatment by polylactic acid – a literature review

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a disease that negatively affects the immune system, requiring chronic, regular antiretroviral therapy, associated with numerous side effects. Lipodystrophy is one of them and is a serious clinical, psychological and social problem for patients affected by the problem. Volume loss and the formation of deep tissue defects in the facial area are caused by skeletal resorption and the redistribution of fat compartments, which progress with age but are also significantly exacerbated prematurely in the course of HIV and applied antiretroviral therapy. For a large group of patients, this constitutes a significant cosmetic defect, often leading to discontinuation of necessary, antiretroviral treatment. Various forms of treatment for this condition are currently available worldwide, including the implantation of non-permanent tissue fillers, such as hyaluronic acid-based fillers, or autologous fat cell transplants. The use of polylactic acid in the treatment of lipodystrophy is a therapeutic method with proven efficacy, effectiveness and a high safety profile, which will be discussed in this article.