Lipomodelling: an important advance in breast surgery

Based on long-term experiences, the authors consider lipomodelling to be a major advance in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery of the breast. The technique is now well established and the complication rate is very low. The risk of focal fat necrosis is around 3%. Oncological follow-up (now 14 years for the first patients) shows no increased risk of local recurrence or development of a new cancer. 30-40% of the injected fat is absorbed. Volume of the breast becomes stable in 3 to 4 months and remains definitive if the patient maintains constant weight. Because of very good results obtained and excellent acceptance of the procedure by the patients, this technique has completely modified our indications. In breast reconstruction, lipomodelling with autologous latissimus dorsi flap enables obtaining an entirely autologous breast in the majority of the patients. Analogically, lipomodelling can improve results of implant reconstructions, especially if the expander or the implant is planned to be exchanged. Lipomodelling is an effective tool for correction deformities especially in the décolleté after breast reconstruction with abdominal flap (DIEP, SIEA and TRAM). Lipomodelling is also progressively used in the correction of breast and chest wall deformities. In Poland syndrome, this technique appears to be a major advance that will probably revolutionize the treatment of severe cases. This is mainly due to its ability to achieve previously unachievable quality of reconstruction with minimal scaring. The application of lipomodelling in the treatment of pectus excavatum deformities is promising. Lipomodelling represents an advanced therapeutic alternative for tuberous breasts without the need to use an implant, as well as for breast asymmetry due to unilateral hypoplasia. Lipomodelling is an ideal option for cosmetic breast augmentation in patients who wish to achieve moderate, natural enlargement of breasts and who have considerable fat deposits.