Mesotherapy is an alternative treatment technique developed by French physician Michael Pistor in 1952. The technique is used in Europe and South America for a broad array of indications, including body contouring, fat reduction and alleviating chronic pain. Although there are no controlled scientific studies validating the safety and efficacy of mesotherapy, the technique remains popular among some practitioners and patients. Serious mesotherapy-related complications have been reported in the medical literature. Patients considering mesotherapy should talk to their doctor to be sure they understand the potential risks and benefits before making a decision to pursue mesotherapy.
Skin Abscesses
With mesotherapy, practitioners inject liquid mixtures containing various combinations of vitamins, minerals, homeopathic remedies, plant extracts and prescription medications into the skin or the tissue just beneath the skin. Infections and abscesses can occur with mesotherapy injections if bacterial contamination of the solutions occurs or mesotherapy practitioners fail to use sterile equipment and appropriate infection control techniques.
In a February 2009 article published in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention journal "Emerging Infectious Diseases," Dr. Marcelo del Castillo and colleagues reported an outbreak of skin abscesses among patients receiving mesotherapy from a clinic in Buenos Aires. Investigators determined the bacterium responsible for the outbreak was Mycobacterium immunogenum, a species related to the tuberculosis bacterium.
Dr. Anne Carbonne and colleagues reported another outbreak of mesotherapy-related skin infections in a June 2009 article published in the "Journal of Clinical Microbiology." This outbreak also involved a Mycobacterium species related to the tuberculosis bacterium. The patients involved received treatments from a mesotherapy clinic in Paris. Investigators determined that contamination of the injection equipment and lack of equipment sterilization led to the localized skin infections in the affected patients.
Noninfectious Skin Reactions
Mesotherapy may cause unpredictable, noninfectious skin reactions in some patients undergoing treatment. In a November 2005 article published in the CDC journal "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report," Dr. William Furlong and colleagues reported an outbreak of mesotherapy-related skin reactions in the Washington, D.C. area. The observed skin reactions included injection site swelling, redness, skin ulcers and draining wounds. Eleven of the 14 patients continued to have skin lesions 10 to 16 weeks after receiving mesotherapy injections. The skin lesions did not respond to treatment with antibiotics, indicating a probable noninfectious skin reaction.
Ulcers and Scarring
Skin reactions to mesotherapy injections may lead to ulcers and permanent scarring in some patients, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. Ulceration may occur due to an inflammatory or infectious process in the skin.
Citing a lack of scientific evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of mesotherapy, a 2008 guiding principles document issued by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that the organization does not recommend use of mesotherapy for fat reduction. The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery, however, offers training courses for physicians in cellulite-reduction mesotherapy techniques.
References
- "Emerging Infectious Diseases"; Mesotherapy-associated Outbreak Caused by Mycobacterium immunogenum; Marcelo del Castillo, M.D., et al.; February 2009
- "Journal of Clinical Microbiology"; Outbreak of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Subcutaneous Infections Related to Multiple Mesotherapy Injections; Anne Carbonne, M.D., et al.; June 2009
- "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report"; Outbreak of Mesotherapy-associated Skin Reactions--District of Columbia Area, January-February 2005; William Furlong, M.D., et al.; November 2005
- DermNet NZ: Mesotherapy
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: ASPS Guiding Principles for Mesotherapy/Injection Lipolysis
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