Fat Grafting before Delayed Prophylactic Mastectomy and Immediate Implant Reconstruction for Patients at High Risk of Complications

 

by Lesniak, David M.; Sarfati, Isabelle; Meredith, Ineke; Millochau, Jenny; Wang, Kuan-Chi; Nos, Claude; Clough, Krishna B. 

 

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: January 2022 - Volume 149 - Issue 1 - p 52-56

 

The majority of patients undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy request immediate implant-based breast reconstruction. Some patients, especially those with prior radiotherapy, are at increased risk of early cutaneous complications and implant loss. The authors developed the technique of primary fat grafting before delayed prophylactic mastectomy to minimize early complications for selective high-risk patients. They have completed 21 cases in 14 patients, 10 of whom had previous lumpectomy and radiation treatment for breast cancer. A single session of fat grafting, with a median injection volume of 250 ml (interquartile range, 200 to 300 ml), was performed a median period of 19 weeks (interquartile range, 16 to 28 weeks) before prophylactic mastectomy. All cases were direct-to-implant reconstruction using textured silicone implants. The median implant volume was 410 ml (interquartile range, 318 to 450 ml). A minor early complication developed in 14 percent of cases (three of 21), with no early implant loss. At a median follow-up of 9 months (interquartile range, 5 to 27 months), the authors found no cases of implant loss and an excellent or good aesthetic outcome (score of 5 or 4) in 16 of 21 cases (76 percent). Fat grafting before prophylactic mastectomy is a novel strategy to minimize early complications and avoid implant loss in patients at high risk of postoperative complications. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, 

The Influence of Fat Grafting on Breast Imaging after Postmastectomy Reconstruction: A Matched Cohort Analysis

 

The Influence of Fat Grafting on Breast Imaging after Postmastectomy Reconstruction: A Matched Cohort Analysis

 

by Cason, Roger W.; Shammas, Ronnie L.; Broadwater, Gloria; Glener, Adam D.; Sergesketter, Amanda R.; Vernon, Rebecca; Le, Elliot; Wickenheisser, Victoria A.; Marks, Caitlin E.; Orr, Jonah; Pyfer, Bryan J.; Hollenbeck, Scott T.

 

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: December 2020 - Volume 146 - Issue 6 - p 1227-1236

 

Background:

Fat grafting to the reconstructed breast may result in the development of benign lesions on physical examination, prompting further investigation with imaging and biopsy. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of fat grafting on the incidence of imaging and biopsies after postmastectomy reconstruction.

Methods:

Patients who underwent autologous or implant-based reconstruction following mastectomy from 2010 to 2018 were identified. Those receiving fat grafting as part of their reconstructive course were propensity matched 1:1 to those that did not with body mass index, reconstruction timing, and reconstruction type as covariates in a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results:

A total of 186 patients were identified, yielding 93 propensity-matched pairs. Fat-grafted patients had higher incidences of palpable masses (38.0 percent versus 18.3 percent; p = 0.003) and postreconstruction imaging (47.3 percent versus 29.0 percent; p = 0.01), but no significant difference in the number of biopsies performed (11.8 percent versus 7.5 percent; p = 0.32). Imaging was predominately interpreted as normal (Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System 1, 27.9 percent) or benign (Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System 2, 48.8 percent), with fat necrosis being the most common finding [n = 20 (45.5 percent)]. No demographic, oncologic, reconstructive, or fat grafting–specific variables were predictive of receiving postreconstruction imaging on multivariate analysis. Fat grafting was not associated with decreased 5-year overall survival or locoregional recurrence-free survival.

Conclusions:

Fat grafting to the reconstructed breast is associated with increased incidences of palpable masses and subsequent postreconstruction imaging with benign radiographic findings. Although the procedure is oncologically safe, both patients and providers should be aware that concerning physical examination findings can be benign sequelae of fat grafting and may lead to increased imaging after breast reconstruction. Clinical Question/Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, III.

Fat Grafting and the Palpable Breast Mass in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: Incidence and Implications

Fat Grafting and the Palpable Breast Mass in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: Incidence and Implications

by Knackstedt, Rebecca W.; Gatherwright, James; Ataya, Dana; Duraes, Eliana F. R.; Schwarz, Graham S. 

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: August 2019 - Volume 144 - Issue 2 - p 265-275

Background: Fat grafting is a powerful and increasingly used technique in breast reconstruction. However, fat necrosis can lead to palpable postoperative changes that can induce anxiety and lead to unplanned diagnostic studies. The authors’ aim in this study was to evaluate the incidence, type, and timing of these unanticipated studies; the specialty of the ordering provider; and the factors that trigger the ordering process.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients from 2006 to 2015 who underwent fat grafting as part of implant-based breast cancer reconstruction and had at least 1-year follow-up after fat grafting.

Results: From 2006 to 2015, 166 patients underwent fat grafting as part of implant-based breast reconstruction. Forty-four women (26.5 percent) underwent at least one imaging procedure. Thirteen women (7.8 percent) underwent 17 biopsies. For a palpable mass, the initial imaging test most commonly ordered was ultrasound, followed by mammography/ultrasound. The percentage of patients with a diagnosis of fat necrosis on mammography, ultrasound, and biopsy was 4.2, 12.7, and 5.4 percent, respectively. Seven patients (4.2 percent) had distant metastases. Tissue diagnosis of local recurrence was never identified. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years.

Conclusions: Fat-grafting sequelae may lead to early unplanned invasive and noninvasive procedures initiated by a variety of providers. In this study, fat grafting had no impact on local recurrence rate. As use of fat grafting grows, communication among breast cancer care providers and enhanced patient and caregiver education will be increasingly important in optimizing the multidisciplinary evaluation and monitoring of palpable breast lesions. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Fat Graft Safety after Oncologic Surgery: Addressing the Contradiction between In Vitro and Clinical Studies

Fat Graft Safety after Oncologic Surgery: Addressing the Contradiction between In Vitro and Clinical Studies

by Orbay, Hakan; Hinchcliff, Katharine M.; Charvet, Heath J.; Sahar, David E.  

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: December 2018 - Volume 142 - Issue 6 - p 1489–1499

Background: The authors investigate the in vitro and in vivo interaction of human breast cancer cells and human adipose-derived stem cells to address the controversy on the safety of postmastectomy fat grafting. Methods: The authors co-cultured human adipose-derived stem cells and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in an in vitro cell migration assay to examine the migration of breast cancer cells. In the in vivo arm, the authors injected breast cancer cells (group I), human breast cancer cells plus human adipose-derived stem cells (group II), human breast cancer cells plus human fat graft (group III), and human breast cancer cells plus human fat graft plus human adipose-derived stem cells (group IV) to the mammary fat pads of female nude mice (n = 20). The authors examined the tumors, livers, and lungs histologically after 2 weeks. Results: Migration of breast cancer cells increased significantly when co-cultured with adipose-derived stem cells (p < 0.05). The tumor growth rate in group IV was significantly higher than in groups I and II (p < 0.05). The tumor growth rate in group III was also higher than in groups I and II, but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Histologically, there was no liver/lung metastasis at the end of 2 weeks. The vascular density in the tumors from group IV was significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The injection of breast cancer cells, fat graft, and adipose-derived stem cells together increases breast cancer xenograft growth rates significantly.

Fat Grafting to the Breast: Clinical Applications and Outcomes for Reconstructive Surgery

Fat Grafting to the Breast: Clinical Applications and Outcomes for Reconstructive Surgery

Katzel, EB.Bucky, LP. 

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: November 2017 - Volume 140 - Issue 5S - p 69S–76S

Summary: This article is a review of fat grafting for breast reconstruction. The use of small volume fat grafting for the correction of step-off deformities, intrinsic deformities, and extrinsic deformities of the breast, and the uses of large volume fat grafting for total breast reconstruction, correction of implant complications with simultaneous implant exchange with fat, and correction of noncancer chest wall deformities is reviewed. Cancer monitoring and the risks of cancer recurrence following fat-grafting to the breast is also reviewed.

Treating Breast Conservation Therapy Defects with Brava and Fat Grafting: Technique, Outcomes, and Safety Profile

Treating Breast Conservation Therapy Defects with Brava and Fat Grafting: Technique, Outcomes, and Safety Profile

Mirzabeigi, M N et al
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: September 2017 - Volume 140 - Issue 3 - p 372e–381e

Background: Fat grafting has been demonstrated as a means of reconstructing breast conservation therapy defects. However, there is continued uncertainty regarding its clinical efficacy and oncologic safety. Furthermore, the role of external preexpansion (i.e., with the Brava device) remains unclear in this setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the safety and clinical outcomes of Brava/fat grafting following breast conservation therapy. 
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients undergoing fat grafting following breast conservation therapy. Complications were defined as either a clinically palpable oil cyst/area of fat necrosis or infection. The mean time of follow-up was 2.3 years. 
Results: A total of 27 fat grafting sessions were performed on 20 patients, with an overall complication rate of 25 percent. The mean interval from completion of radiation therapy to fat grafting was 7 years and was not a significant predictor for complications (p = 0.46). Among those who underwent repeated grafting, there was no difference in the complication rates between their first and second encounters (p = 0.56). There was no difference in complication rates between patients with Brava preexpansion and those without preexpansion. Patients undergoing Brava preexpansion had a significantly higher initial fill volume in comparison with those who did not (219 cc versus 51 cc; p = 0.0017). There were no cases of locoregional cancer recurrence following fat grafting. Conclusion: Brava preexpansion was associated with higher initial fill volume in the setting of breast conservation therapy defects.

Autologous Fat Grafting as a Novel Antiestrogen Vehicle for the Treatment of Breast Cancer

Autologous Fat Grafting as a Novel Antiestrogen Vehicle for the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Thomas, S et al
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: September 2017 - Volume 140 - Issue 3 - p 537–544
Background: Adipose fat transfer is increasingly used for contour corrections of the tumor bed after lumpectomy and breast reconstructions after mastectomy. The lipophilic nature of the fat tissue may render adipocytes an ideal vehicle with which to deliver a high boost of an antiestrogen to the tumor bed to serve as an adjunct systemic hormonal therapy. The authors therefore tested whether adipocytes could safely be loaded with an antiestrogen and allow for release at therapeutic concentrations to treat breast cancer. 
Methods: Adipose tissue was collected from patients undergoing autologous fat grafting. The influence of adipose tissue on tumorigenesis was determined both in vitro and in vivo using breast cancer cell lines. Ex vivo, adipose tissue was assessed for its ability to depot fulvestrant and inhibit the growth of breast cancer cell lines. 
Results: Adipose tissue harvested from patients did not promote breast cancer cell growth in vitro or in an in vivo mouse model. Adipose tissue was successfully loaded with fulvestrant and released at levels sufficient to inhibit estrogen receptor signaling and growth of breast cancer cells. 
Conclusions: This work supports the hypothesis that adipose tissue used for autologous fat grafting can serve as a novel method for local drug delivery. As this technique is used to reconstruct a variety of postsurgical defects following cancer resection, this approach for local drug delivery may be an effective alternative in therapeutic settings beyond breast cancer.

Fat Grafting after Invasive Breast Cancer: A Matched Case-Control Study

Fat Grafting after Invasive Breast Cancer: A Matched Case-Control Study

Petit, JY et al
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: June 2017 - Volume 139 - Issue 6 - p 1292–1296

Background: Fat grafting has been widely indicated for postmastectomy and postlumpectomy breast reconstruction. The literature emphasizes the clinical efficacy of fat grafting, but experimental studies raise important questions about the recurrence risk because of the stimulation of remaining cancer cells by progenitor or adult adipocytes. Because breast conservative treatment provides a higher risk of residual cancer cells in the breast tissue compared with mastectomy, the authors set up a matched case-control study of fat grafting versus no fat grafting after breast conservative treatment. Methods: The authors collected data from 322 consecutive patients operated on for a primary invasive breast cancer who subsequently underwent fat grafting for breast reshaping from 2006 to 2013. All patients were free of recurrence before fat grafting. For each patient, the authors selected one patient with similar characteristics who did not undergo fat grafting. Results: After a mean follow-up of 4.6 years (range, 0.1 to 10.2 years) after fat grafting, or a corresponding time for controls, the authors observed no difference in the incidence of local events (fat grafting, n = 14; controls, n = 16; p = 0.49), axillary nodes metastasis (fat grafting, n = 3; controls, n = 6; p = 0.23), distant metastases (fat grafting, n = 14; controls, n = 15; p = 0.67), or contralateral breast cancer (fat grafting, n = 4; controls, n = 4; p = 0.51). Conclusion: Fat grafting seems to be a safe procedure after breast conservative treatment for breast cancer patients. 

Subfascial Primary Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting: A Review of 156 Cases

Subfascial Primary Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting: A Review of 156 Cases

Kerfant, N et al
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: May 2017 - Volume 139 - Issue 5 - p 1080e–1085e

Background: Composite breast augmentation with fat grafting and an implant has become very popular in the past 5 years. This achieves the core volume projection of an implant complemented by the natural appearance and feel of fat. However, no study has looked at the complications and reoperation rates of this technique. Methods: A retrospective chart review examined all patients who underwent the combined use of an implant and fat grafting for primary breast augmentation. Results: The study identified 156 patients between 2007 and 2013. The mean patient age was 31.7 years and the average body mass index was 18.85 kg/m2. The average implant size was 252 cc. Patients received a mean of 126 cc of fat (range, 30 to 250 cc) in subcutaneous soft tissue. Follow-up averaged 22.25 months (range, 1 to 86 months). The total complication rate was 7.7 percent and the reoperation rate was 9.94 percent. Baker grade II/III contracture was the most common complication [Baker grade II, n = 4 (2.56 percent); Baker grade III, n = 2 (2 percent)], followed by infections [n = 2 (1.28 percent)], hematoma [n = 2 (1.28 percent)], and malrotation [n = 1 (0.64 percent)]. Delayed reoperation was performed in nine patients (9.94 percent) after a mean interval of 31.7 months. Two patients who developed Baker grade III contractures needed surgery to correct the problem. Three cases (1.92 percent) required additional fat grafting for insufficient soft-tissue coverage. The mean volume of fat reinjection was 170 cc. Conclusions: Composite breast augmentation is a valuable, stable, reliable technique in breast aesthetic surgery with good, natural-appearing results. It provides long-term aesthetic benefits and avoids the submuscular plane.

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 122(1) July 2008

Link to journal
Wang, Hongyan M.D.; Jiang, Yuxin M.D.; Meng, Hua M.D.; Yu, Yuan M.D.; Qi, Keming M.D.;
Sonographic Assessment on Breast Augmentation after Autologous Fat Graft. [Editorial]
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 122(1):36e-38e, July 2008.

Rozen, Warren M. , Phillips, Timoth J et al
A New Preoperative Imaging Modality for Free Flaps in Breast Reconstruction: Computed Tomographic Angiography.[Editorial]
Source
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 122(1):38e-40e, July 2008.

Fat Grafting to the Breast Revisited

Link to journal
Coleman, Sydney R. M.D.; Saboeiro, Alesia P. M.D.;
Fat Grafting to the Breast Revisited: Safety and Efficacy
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 119(3):775-785, March 2007.
Abstract
Background: A 1987 American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons position paper predicted that fat grafting would compromise breast cancer detection and should therefore be prohibited. However, there is no evidence that fat grafting to breasts is less safe than any other form of breast surgery. As discussions of fat grafting to the breast are surfacing all over the world, it is time to reexamine the opinions of the 1987 American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons position paper.
Methods: This is a retrospective examination of 17 breast procedures performed using fat grafting from 1995 to 2000. Indications included micromastia, postaugmentation deformity, tuberous breast deformity, Poland's syndrome, and postmastectomy reconstruction deformities. The technique used was the Coleman method of fat grafting, which attempts to minimize trauma and place grafted fat in small aliquots at many levels.
Results: All women had a significant improvement in their breast size and/or shape postoperatively and all had breasts that were soft and natural in appearance and feel. Postoperative mammograms identified changes one would expect after any breast procedure.
Conclusions: Given these results and reports of other plastic surgeons, free fat grafting should be considered as an alternative or adjunct to breast augmentation and reconstruction procedures. It is time to end the discrimination created by the 1987 position paper and judge fat grafting to the breast with the same caution and enthusiasm as any other useful breast procedure.