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The Role of Microfat Grafting in Facial Contouring
Nicole Lindenblatt1, Astrid van Hulle1, Alexis M Verpaele1
1Prof Lindenblatt is a Senior Attending Plastic Surgeon, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Ms Van Hulle is a plastic surgery resident at a private practice in Gent, Belgium. Drs Verpaele and Tonnard are plastic surgeons in private practice in Gent, Belgium.
Background:
Congenital hypoplasia of facial bones has traditionally been treated by orthognathic surgery. However, the inherent invasiveness of orthognathic surgery often leads to a high complication rate. Facial fat grafting could be a less invasive method to correct facial deformities.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of microfat grafting for facial contouring.
Methods:
This retrospective chart review evaluated 166 patients who were treated with microfat grafting for maxillary and/or mandibular hypoplasia. Pretreatment and posttreatment photographs were compared regarding improvement of facial contour, and complications were recorded.
Results:
The follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 10 years (mean, 2 years 7 months). Thirty-eight percent of the patients had a refill procedure 6 or more months after the first procedure. A majority of the evaluated patients stated that they benefited from the microfat grafting, with ratings of excellent (50%), sufficient (48%), and poor (2%). Complications included visible fat lobules under the lower eyelid skin (7%), which was seen during the first 4 years and was resolved by changing the injection cannulae and technique, and fat resorption, which was seen in all patients, with a clinical range from ±15% in the immobile malar area and chin region to ±50% in the mobile lip area.
Conclusions:
Facial microfat grafting is a valuable alternative to more complicated advancement osetotomies being performed in patients solely for aesthetic reasons. The low morbidity and rapid recovery make facial microfat grafting a welcome tool in the armamentarium of the modern facial aesthetic surgeon.
