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Fat Overgrowth After Facial Fat Grafting and Weight Gain: Six Cases
Bykowski MR, James IB, Goldstein JA, Stofman GM, Rubin JP, Bartlett SP, Coleman SR, Losee JE
University of Pittsburgh
2018-02-15
Presenter: Michael R. Bykowski
Affidavit:
The submitted work is the majority work performed by Michael Bykowski
Director Name: Vu Nguyen
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Craniomaxillofacial
BACKGROUND:
Fat grafting is a powerful tool to address challenging facial asymmetries and contour irregularities. The primary limitation of this technique has been fat resorption. As the ability to maximize graft retention improves, fat graft overgrowth is becoming a new unwelcomed problem. The goal of this report is to highlight six cases of fat graft overgrowth after structural fat grafting to the face.
METHODS:
Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for six patients who had previously undergone facial fat grafting and later developed overgrowth of transferred fat.
RESULTS:
Two pediatric patients (7.3 and 10 years of age) underwent structural fat grafting to treat asymmetries related to congenital facial differences (Parry-Romberg Syndrome and unilateral cleft lip). Over 1.4 and 1.9 years the patients gained 14.4kg and 30.8kg, respectively. Each patient developed a substantial convexity at the site of grafting. Four adult patients (mean age: 41.0 years) underwent structural fat grafting for facial rejuvenation (cheeks/jowls: n=3; upper lip: n=1). All six patients underwent debulking procedures to the hypertrophied fat graft.
CONCLUSIONS:
Autologous fat transfer is a powerful surgical tool for facial reconstruction and aesthetic rejuvenation. However, while occurring rarely, the transferred fat can overgrow in proportion to overall weight gain. The discussed clinical cases support the idea that at least some adipocytes survive and/or regenerate following autologous fat transfer. Surgeons must be aware of the potential complication of fat graft overgrowth following autologous fat transfer.
