M. RietjensF. De LorenziF. RossettoF. BrenelliA. ManconiS. MartellaM. IntraM. VenturinoV. LohsiriwatY. AhmedJ. Y. PetitIstituto Europeo di OncologiaMahidol University2018-05-032018-05-032011-04-01Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. Vol.64, No.4 (2011), 477-484174868152-s2.0-79952697262https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/12568Background: Fat grafting is largely used to correct soft-tissue defects in any region of the human body. This study analysed its safety when the technique is used to correct defects after breast-cancer reconstruction. Methods: A total of 158 patients who underwent 194 breast fat grafting procedures were analysed. Almost all patients (98%) had a personal history of breast cancer: conservative surgery or mastectomy with breast reconstruction. In all cases, fat grafting was performed according to the Coleman's technique by a single surgeon. Results: Immediate complications included liponecrosis and infection in seven cases (3.6%) that required only daily dressings and oral antibiotics administration. In cases of fat grafting after conservative surgery, only four patients (5.9%) showed minor alterations in the postoperative mammograms, consisting of the appearance of benign images. Conclusion: Breast fat grafting can be a good solution to repair defects after breast-cancer treatment and reconstruction, and can reduce the indication for more extensive surgeries such as myocutaneous flaps. Postoperative complication rates are very low and there is little alteration in follow-up mammograms. Two points remain unclear - How much of the fat is absorbed after grafting and the potential risk of local 'dormant' tumour cells being stimulated to induce a local recurrence. © 2010 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Mahidol UniversityMedicineArticleSCOPUS10.1016/j.bjps.2010.06.024