Fat grafting in autologous breast reconstruction: applications, outcomes, safety, and complications

Autologous fat grafting is an important surgical technique in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. Fat for breast reconstruction now established procedure adding volume improving cutaneous pliability; it can be used independently to replace more invasive flap procedures or implants, as adjunct smaller supplementation. The breadth of applications the necessitates diversity approach, while there no universally agreed-upon protocol, basic principles have guided evolution some commonly adopted tenets. Broadly, outcomes are highly favorable but dependent on patient factors, requiring learned selection expertise recipient site assessment. Common complications from grafting, such necrosis development nodules, particularly troublesome post-oncologic patients, considerable pre-surgical consultation education managing expectations. In addition contour augmentation, has additional beneficial effects that recently drawn increased attention including pain reduction implant capsular contracture post-mastectomy syndrome, improved skin quality reduced fibrosis following radiation, possible anti-tumorigenic effects. New developments clinical research promising include use adipose progenitor cells admixed with lipoaspirate retention alternative biologics platelet-rich plasma. Preclinically, towards safe effective regenerative medicine approaches actively underway, ultimate goal achieving predictable graft retention, reducing number required enabling on-table results reflect outcomes.