Autologous fat injection into the pectoralis major as an adjunct to surgical correction of gynecomastia.

[BACKGROUND] Correction of gynecomastia in males is a frequently performed aesthetic procedure. Various surgical options involving the removal of excess skin, fat, or glandular tissue have been described. However, poor aesthetic outcomes, including a flat or depressed pectoral area, limit the success of these techniques.

[OBJECTIVES] The authors sought to determine patient satisfaction with the results of upper chest augmentation by direct intrapectoral fat injection in conjunction with surgical correction of gynecomastia.

[METHODS] In this prospective study, 26 patients underwent liposuction and glandular excision, glandular excision alone, or Benelli-type skin excision. All patients received intramuscular fat injections in predetermined zones of the pectoralis major (PM). The mean volume of fat injected was 160 mL (range, 80-220 mL per breast) bilaterally. Patients were monitored for an average of 16 months (range, 8-24 months).

[RESULTS] Hematoma formation and consequent infraareolar depression was noted in 1 patient and was corrected by secondary lipografting. Mean patient satisfaction was rated as 8.4 on a scale of 1 (unsatisfactory) to 10 (highly satisfactory).

[CONCLUSIONS] Autologous intrapectoral fat injection performed simultaneously with gynecomastia correction can produce a masculine appearance. The long-term viability of fat cells injected into the PM needs to be determined.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE] 4 Therapeutic.