Fat Grafting to Improve Tuberous Breast : 40 Cases – 6 Years Follow-up

Goals/Purpose: Tuberous breasts represent a very rare malformation. Many surgical procedures are brought to improve shape and volume of the breast. They usually combine cutaneous plasties and glandular reshaping. Breast implants and flaps complete breast reshaping. Fat grafting can improve thoracic malformations and breast reconstructions. This study investigates the effects of fat transfer on aesthetic aspects of tuberous breasts.

Methods/Technique:

Forty consecutive tuberous breasts were offered free fat transfer to enhance results and correct defects between 2000 and 2011. Fat was harvested from elsewhere in the body using a low-pressure 10cc syringe lipoaspiration system. Fat was centrifugated, and injected into located defaults of tuberous breast. Following items were noticed: population (age, BMI, uni/bilateral tuberous breasts), surgical procedure (mean sessions number, mean fat transfer). Aesthetic aspects of tuberous breasts were rated by both surgeon and patient: skin improvement, volume and shape of breast. Each complication was noticed: hematoma, infection, donor site. Radiological follow-up used US or MRI.

Results/Complications: Mean age of population was 23 years. Mean body mass index was 21,9. There were 2 surgical procedures in 57% of cases, and 3 procedures in 43% of cases. Mean fat transfer was 205cc. Mean follow-up was 6 years (1 to 10).  38 patients were very satisfied, and 2 patients were satisfied. There were no complications. Radiological follow-up was possible without difficulties (fat necrosis, cyst formation).

Conclusion:

Fat transfer is a safe and reliable technique. It improves aesthetic outcomes of tuberous breasts. It improves located defaults of the breast, shape and volume without any added scars. Any complication was noticed. The technique provides satisfactory results, with an important learning-curve.