[Treatment of facial lipoatrophy by lipofilling in HIV infected patients: retrospective study on 317 patients on 9 years]

Abstract

Introduction: HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy are responsible in 20 to 40% of cases of facial lipoatrophy. This one has an impact in an important way on the quality of life with a major social impact. Several treatments are available to correct facial lipoatrophy. We evaluate the efficiency of autologous fat transfer described by Coleman (Lipostructure®).

Patients and methods: We recorded HIV-infected patients who had facial lipofilling between May 1999 and April 2008.Then, we estimated the severity of their lipoatrophy and the result of lipofilling after 1 month to 4 years follow-up.

Results: We have treated 317 patients by lipofilling. We have injected a mean of 8mL of fat on each side. There were no adverse events. Sixty-three percent had a good result on 1-year evaluation.

Conclusion: Lipofilling is a safe and stable surgical procedure that makes the reference technique to correct facial lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients. The use of facial fillers must be limited in case of impossibility to take fat tissue, which was exceptional in our study.