Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026
Assessment of Viability of Human Fat Injection into Nude Mice with Micro-Computed Tomography
Published on: January 7, 2015
Critical Differences between Microscopic (MIFE) and Macroscopic (MAFE) Fat Embolism during Liposuction and Gluteal
Lázaro Cárdenas-Camarena1,2, Héctor Durán1,2, José Antonio Robles-Cervantes1,2
1Zapopan, Jalisco, and Mérida, Yucatán, México; and Bucaramanga, Colombia.
Background:
Liposuction and gluteal lipoinjection are two of the most frequent surgical procedures in body contouring surgery, and two of the most important complications are microscopic (MIFE) and macroscopic (MAFE) fat embolism. Despite a high index of morbidity and mortality, few reports exist about these complications, and although they have the same causal agent, their etiopathogenesis, clinical evolution, treatment, prognosis, and prevention are totally different. Therefore, the authors performed a comprehensive review of the literature to exhaustively analyze both pathologic conditions and present the differences between them.
Methods:
A detailed search was carried out in PubMed of studies on humans from 1946 to March of 2017 in any language and including the keywords microscopic fat embolism and macroscopic fat embolism with either liposuction or gluteal lipoinjection. The articles found were selected according to the search criteria and were analyzed to provide the final data and recommendations.
Results:
Of the 1245 and 26 articles that were found on complications related to liposuction and gluteal lipoinjection, respectively, only 41 on liposuction and microscopic fat embolism and seven on gluteal lipoinjection and microscopic fat embolism met the specific criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Only two articles on liposuction and two on gluteal lipoinjection referred to macroscopic fat embolism as a complication.
Conclusion:
Although microscopic fat embolism and macroscopic fat embolism are pathologic conditions with high morbidity and mortality rates in association with liposuction and gluteal lipoinjection, few reports about them exist; therefore, the authors made recommendations based on this study for their diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Insights
Microscopic (MIFE) and macroscopic (MAFE) fat embolism are serious complications of body contouring surgery like liposuction and gluteal lipoinjection. This review highlights their distinct characteristics and provides recommendations for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Surgical Complications
- Fat Embolism Syndromes
Background:
- Liposuction and gluteal lipoinjection are common body contouring procedures.
- Microscopic fat embolism (MIFE) and macroscopic fat embolism (MAFE) are significant, potentially fatal complications.
- Despite shared etiology, MIFE and MAFE differ in pathogenesis, clinical course, treatment, and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive literature review on MIFE and MAFE.
- To analyze and differentiate the etiopathogenesis, clinical evolution, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of MIFE and MAFE.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for managing these complications.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed (1946-2017).
- Inclusion of human studies on MIFE and MAFE related to liposuction or gluteal lipoinjection.
- Analysis of selected articles to extract data and formulate recommendations.
Main Results:
- Limited literature exists on MIFE and MAFE, particularly MAFE.
- A small number of studies met inclusion criteria: 41 for liposuction/MIFE, 7 for gluteal lipoinjection/MIFE, and 2 each for liposuction/MAFE and gluteal lipoinjection/MAFE.
- Data highlights the rarity of reported MAFE cases.
Conclusions:
- MIFE and MAFE are critical complications associated with liposuction and gluteal lipoinjection.
- There is a paucity of research on these conditions, necessitating further investigation.
- Recommendations for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment are proposed based on the review.
