Complications in Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Dermatological Procedures in Switzerland

Complications in Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Dermatological Procedures in Switzerland: A Descriptive Study From a University Referral Center

The aim of this retrospective study is to describe cases of complications from minimally invasive aesthetic procedures treated at a university reference centre in Switzerland between 2021 and 2024.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Complication of Treatment; Aesthetic Procedures

Detailed Description

During the past decade, a steady increase in aesthetic procedures has been observed. Over the last four years, non-surgical procedures have grown by 40%. The five most popular treatments are botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, hair removal, chemical peels, and nonsurgical fat reduction.

With the increase in aesthetic procedures, adverse effects have also increased. Contributing factors include weak regulations, unlicensed practice, and individuals with little or no formal training administering botulinum toxins and dermal fillers.

This study aims to analyze unexpected and often unfavorable outcomes, referred to as complications, arising from minimally invasive procedures-both non-injectable (e.g., laser treatments, chemical peels) and injectable (e.g., botulinum toxin, fillers). The complications are categorized based on their severity and ethiology. This retrospective case series is conducted at a university reference center in Switzerland (Margarethenklinik of the University Hospital Basel) between January 2021 and December 2024.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 60

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Switzerland
  • Basel, Switzerland, 4051
    • Margarethenklinik, University Hospital Basel

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients that had an appointment at Margarethenklinik of the University Hospital Basel between January 2021 and December 2024.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 18 and older of all genders, ethnic and social demographic background that have signed the General consent and the Photo-Informed Consent Form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who didn't sign the general consent.
• Patients under 18 years old.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Total cases of complications	The total number of complications from minimally invasive aesthetic procedures treated at a university reference centre in Switzerland between 2021 and 2024 is analyzed and classified by ethiology and severity.	Between January 2021 and December 2024
Type of aesthetic procedure	The type of aesthetic procedure that led to the complication is analyzed and classified by ethiology and severity.	Between January 2021 and December 2024
Diagnosis of complication	The diagnosis of complication is analyzed and classified by ethiology and severity.	Between January 2021 and December 2024

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Location of aesthetic procedure (Switzerland or abroad)	The location where the aesthetic procedure was performed is analyzed, whether in Switzerland or abroad. For procedures conducted in Switzerland, the specific canton where the treatment took place will be documented.	Between January 2021 and December 2024
Type of practitioner performing the aesthetic procedure	The type of practitioner who has performed the aesthetic procedure is analyzed, whether it was by a physician, another authorized professional, or an unlicensed practitioner.	Between January 2021 and December 2024

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Roberta Vasconcelos Berg, MD, PhD, Margarethenklinik, University Hospital Basel

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 31, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): December 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 3, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2025
• Last Verified: March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Complications; Minimally Invasive Procedures; Injectable Procedures; Non-injectable Procedures
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2025-00297; th25Vasconcelos

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No