Micro Fat Grafting for Post Lumpectomy and Breast Reconstruction Deformities:Pearls for Success

Background:  Micro fat grafting is increasingly being used as an adjunct to standard breast reconstruction techniques; including expander/implant and autogenous reconstructions.  It is now possible to correct previously difficult to treat post lumpectomy and post mastectomy reconstruction deformities.

Purpose:  To present a simple and effective method of micro fat breast reconstruction; including details of patient selection, fat harvest, fat processing and fat grafting. 

Results:  The author has been performing micro fat breast reconstruction as an adjunct to standard breast reconstruction techniques and for post lumpectomy/radiation deformities for the last 3 years.  To date a total of 43 cases have been performed as outpatient procedures, utilizing instruments readily available to most Plastic Surgeons.  Patients may drive/return to work within 3 days.  The procedure has been extremely well tolerated, with minimal to no morbidity; 2 patients required local excision of fat oil cysts. 

Conclusion: Utilizing a simple technique for fat harvest and preparation, micro fat grafting was performed for patients with post lumpectomy/radiation deformities and in post mastectomy breast reconstruction deformities.  The author presents technical pearls for the procedure as well as photos documenting before and after results.  Figure 1: Post-op left latissimus flap and implant before fat grafting.  Figure 2: Post-op left latissimus flap and implant, with post-op fat rafting (multiple sessions) and nipple/areolar reconstruction.