Vascular Occlusion
A serious adverse event in filler procedures in which injected material compresses or enters a blood vessel, potentially causing tissue ischaemia, necrosis, or blindness.
Full Definition
Vascular occlusion (VO) is one of the most severe complications of injectable filler treatment, occurring when filler is inadvertently injected into or around a vessel, obstructing blood flow. Depending on the vessel involved, sequelae can include skin necrosis, scarring, or—in the case of ophthalmic artery occlusion—permanent vision loss. Recognising early signs (blanching, pain, mottling) is critical to prompt management. Editors reviewing adverse event reports must ensure the term is not softened to 'vascular compromise' when a true occlusion is documented, as the distinction carries medicolegal weight.
Usage
Usage note: Do not substitute 'vascular compromise' for 'vascular occlusion' in formal incident documentation; the terms have different clinical and medicolegal implications.
In Context
- "The adverse event report must clearly document whether the vascular occlusion resulted in permanent tissue loss." — Adverse event report
- "All practitioners must be trained in the management of vascular occlusion prior to performing filler treatments." — Training standards document