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Two Cases Surviving Macro Fat Emboli Complications Following Gluteal Fat Grafting
Erin M Wolfe1, Lee E Weber1, Luccie M Wo1
1Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Aesthetic Surgery Journal
|March 21, 2022
Summary
Macro-fat emboli (MAFE) are a rare but lethal risk of Brazilian butt lifts (BBL). Early recognition and aggressive support can improve survival rates for this severe complication.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Aesthetic Medicine
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Increased patient demand for gluteal augmentation, often called the Brazilian butt lift (BBL), has risen due to media attention.
- While generally safe, BBL procedures carry risks, including rare but fatal pulmonary embolism from macro-fat emboli (MAFE).
Observation:
- Macro-fat emboli (MAFE), defined as fat emboli larger than 1 cm, can cause rapid cardiopulmonary compromise and death.
- Accurate data on BBL procedure numbers and complication rates are limited, particularly for MAFE, due to procedures performed at budget clinics and a lack of published evidence.
- The first reported survival from MAFE after BBL was in 2019; previously, such events were almost universally fatal.
Findings:
- This paper presents two recent cases of patient survival following MAFE after gluteal fat transfer.
- Expedient transfer to a tertiary care setting facilitated timely and successful intervention in these cases.
- These cases highlight MAFE as a highly lethal complication of gluteal fat grafting.
Implications:
- Early recognition and immediate, aggressive supportive care are critical for patient survival following MAFE.
- Improved reporting and evidence are needed to better understand and manage MAFE complications in gluteal fat grafting procedures.
- This study underscores the importance of specialized care and rapid intervention in managing severe BBL complications.
