Background: Fat grafting in breast augmentation surgery is becoming increasingly popular and is allowing surgeons to fill the gaps that implant augmentation alone cannot. However, one current issue surrounding fat grafting is resorption.
Objectives: In this prospective study, the authors present their experience of fat grafting and resorption in 26 patients who had fat transfer to correct deformities or asymmetries following primary breast enlargement surgery.
Methods: The fat utilized was harvested and processed using the Puregraft system. Fat grafting was performed until the problem was visually corrected, followed by an additional 30% overcorrection. Photographs were taken preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively, and analyzed utilizing cloud-based 3-dimensional imaging software to measure the breast volumes and calculate 1-year resorption rates. Both patients and physicians were asked to rate their satisfaction.
Results: The total volume of fat transferred ranged from 160 cc to 360 cc, with an average of 280 cc per procedure. The absolute volume of tissue resorption showed considerable variation (median, 42.6 mL; range, 5.5-62 mL). However, there was a very close correlation between the volume resorbed and the volume implanted: the more volume injected, the more volume absorbed. When expressed as a percentage of implanted tissue, the resorption rate was 27.5 ± 0.8% (mean ± standard deviation) with a very narrow range (25.7%-28.9%). Patients and physicians reported a satisfaction rate of "excellent" in 83.3% and 75% of cases, respectively.
Conclusions: At 1 year, 25.7% to 28.9% of the injected fat had been resorbed in a predictable, reproducible, and effective manner.
Level of evidence: 4 Therapeutic.
© 2016 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com.