Published in:
25-11-2022 | Breast Augmentation | Original Paper
Primary—but not secondary—adjuvant fat transfer is associated with good patient satisfaction in mammoplasty: a single centre retrospective case series
Published in: European Journal of Plastic Surgery | Issue 3/2023
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Background
Due to its unpredictable retention rate, using autologous fat alone for the enhancement of breast volume is often unsatisfactory. To overcome this limitation, fat transfer has been proposed as an immediate adjuvant procedure to aesthetic breast surgery, creating the concept of hybrid mammoplasty.
Fat transfer has already been shown to correct minor defects with good clinical outcome, but the amount of fat that can be safely transferred has not yet been identified. Our hypothesis is that contour improvement with small-volume fat transfer as a primary adjuvant treatment can lead to a better patient outcome.
Methods
A retrospective single-centre uncontrolled case series study was conducted on 70 patients who underwent hybrid mammoplasties for aesthetic purposes only. Primary and secondary cases were included and divided into corresponding groups. An ad-hoc outcome scale based on clinical parameters was created to standardise results; results were analysed after a follow-up period of at least 12 months.
Results
The overall results were reported as good in 48.7% of cases, moderate in 32.8%, and sufficient in 18.5%. Primary cases with small deformities showed a better outcome on our scale compared to revisional ones (57.4% good compared to 29%; p = 0.038). A transferred volume of fat up to 100 ml was associated with a higher retention rate (OR = 2.3; p = 0.032).
Conclusions
Small breast contour deformities or prosthesis coverage can be easily corrected with fat transfer. Based on our score system, this technique is indicated for volume enhancement up to 100 ml; beyond that the outcome quality decreases, and further corrections would be needed.
Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic.