Correction with autologous fat grafting for contour changes of the breasts after implant removal in Asian women.

[BACKGROUND] Patients who were diagnosed with symptomatic capsular contracture or with safety concerns for the implant would be often reluctant to accept the operation of implant exchange, choosing instead removal without exchange or taking other options to rebuild their breasts. These patients may benefit from augmenting the overlying soft tissue of the breasts with autologous fat grafting after removing the prosthesis.

[OBJECTIVES] A retrospective analysis of the patients receiving fat grafting for breast augmentation after implant removal was performed in this study.

[METHODS] Between March 2011 and November 2013, 27 patients receiving autologous fat grafting after breast implant removal. Objective evaluation was made by measuring the change in breast thickness with ultrasonography taken before and after the treatment. Aesthetic evaluation was performed using a 5-point Likert scale for patient satisfaction and comparing preoperative and postoperative digital photographs for physician satisfaction.

[RESULTS] The mean breast thickness change was 13.1 mm (SD = 3.3) which was an increment by 154% in comparison to the averaged breast thickness of 8.5 mm after implant removal. The results of patient satisfaction and physician satisfaction were 16.3 (SD = 1.2) and 16.7 (SD = 1.6). Complications included recipient site infection, fat necrosis, and small areas of induration. The overall complication rate was 22.2% (6 of 27).

[CONCLUSION] Autologous fat grafting is beneficial for the correction of deformed breasts after implant removal. With its preferential fill qualities, the wide cleavage and excessive upper pole fullness associated with existing implants can also be corrected.