[Breast augmentation with autologous fat - experience of 96 procedures with the BEAULI-technique]

Over the past 30 years, interest in the use of autologous fat for aesthetic body contouring, especially for breast augmentation has been continuously on the rise. The benefits of an autologous fat transplant include the absence of any inflammatory reaction to a foreign body, its harmonious appearance and a natural feeling. In earlier years, complications such as necrosis, infections or the formation of cysts, poor resorption rates as well as the difficulty of harvesting large amounts of fat within a reasonable amount of time provided grounds for criticism of the methodology of autologous fat transplantation. With the advent of the so-called BEAULI method, since 2007 a procedure is available for the efficient harvesting and processing of larger quantities of transplantable fat. The aim of the study is to describe the technique in detail and reproducibly and to present a detailed overview of autologous fat transfer due to the basis of our own clinical experience. Between 1 September 2010 and 30 June 2012 the author performed 96 fat transfer procedures on 84 patients. Patients aged 18-60 with a desire for a moderate augmentation of volume and shape of the breasts were selected for the procedure. The fat was harvested using water jet-assisted liposuction (Bodyjet) to flush out the fat cells and subsequent separation of the fat components with the Lipo-Collector. There were no occurrences of post-operative complications in any of the cases. The results were evaluated in the context of a check-up, a photographic comparison and with the completion of a questionnaire. With regard to the increase in size and/or shape enhancement of the breasts, 31% of the patients were very happy with the results, 45% indicated they were satisfied, 23% would have liked more volume, while 1% were dissatisfied. This study indicates that the autologous fat transplant into the female breast using the BEAULI method represents an excellent, safe method for the achievement of a moderate and harmonious breast size augmentation as well as sustainable and natural-looking contour improvements in selected patients. Additional studies with a larger number of cases and longer observation periods over several years as well as guidelines from the professional associations could contribute to the further perfection of the autologous fat transplant method in terms of resorption rate, efficiency and safety.